Construction of first-ever 4.7-kilometer sewer line along Kenyatta Road in Juja, Kiambu County will be made operational in a three weeks’ time ending years of poor waste management and high building costs. The Sh 45 million project funded by World Bank under Kenya Urban Support Program is hoped to improve sanitation in the fast-growing area after decades of struggles by locals. Initially, plot owners were compelled to put up drain-able septic tanks to dump their waste at very high costs owing to the rocky nature of the area. According to locals, digging and building structures for a septic tank would cost them Sh 200,000 and above, a cost they said will be alleviated by the new project enabling more developers with undeveloped plots to construct houses.
However, the secondary sewer line traversing the villages of Muigai Inn, Chief’s area and Daima Estate covering over 2,000 homes is expected to also reduce cases of pollution and waterborne diseases related to hazardous liquid waste, which in turn will enhance standards of living and a clean, sustainable environment. While applauding the government for finally heeding to their cries, the locals led by Samuel Kimamo who has lived at the populous area for decades said the project will also relieve them of the huge costs incurred whenever they hire exhauster services. His sentiments were echoed by Duncan Wanjau who had commenced construction of a septic tank and had spent Sh 80,000 only to stop the project after the county commenced construction of the major sewer line.
Wanjau cited that the sewer line project has reduced construction costs by a bigger margin as home developers will now be required to part with Sh 2,500 only to be connected to the secondary line. John Kinuthia, the resident engineer for the project revealed that 96 percent of the project had been completed citing it as a game changer in conservation of environment.