Karibaribi residents in Thika Kiambu county are protesting against a senior Kiambu county Public health officer who has turned areas in their localities as dumpsites. The residents demand for immediate swift and effective action taken to the officer whom they say is doing that with impunity.
They said they have complained to the authorities including NEMA but nothing has been done. They are now appealing to Kiambu governor James Nyoro to intervene and save them from the illegal dumpsite that is carrying all manner of waste including surgical waste which is a health hazard to the community.
Margaret Wanjiru and Samuel Ngugi who are neighboring the illegal dumpsites say the person who is doing all this is one of their neighbors who works with Kiambu county government as a senior public health officer.
They said the officer has been engaging in the business of selling soil which has left some areas with big and deep valleys where he is trying to cover the holes with the rubbish. But the residents claim when it rains a heavy stench of the waste and houseflies fill the area causing the residents sleepless nights.
Thika member of county assembly Adrew Kimani toured the area after the residents sought his intervention and promised to do something. The MCA condemned the action and said he would take the matter to the county assembly where disciplinary action will be meted to the officer involved.
Kimani said it was wrong for a public health officer to instead of ensuring high standards of hygiene is the one involved in causing illegal dumping of waste. He said if the county government fails to act, then he would have no other option but to seek legal redress.