Malindi stakeholders want the county government to begin upgrading the drainage system to prevent the resort town from flooding during this rainy reason.
The stakeholders said now that rains have started the town is faced with many challenges of flooding due to the poor drainage system which really affect businesses as some premises are not usually accessible.
They spoke during the monthly clean-up exercise organized by Progressive welfare association of Malindi that brings together stakeholders from all sectors and youth.
This time around due to covid restrictions, the organizers of the clean up changed the model of cleanliness and divided the stakeholders into 36 groups of 10 people to clean up their areas of work within the resort town.
The aim was to ensure the clean up becomes successful for people to be sensitized on the importance of living in a clean environment and make Malindi green and clean.
Ismail Muhsin a businessman in Malindi who owns Alhashmyre supermarket urged the government to set up proper drainage in the town because during this season there is a lot of stormy water which makes it difficult for clients to access their business premises.
Speaking during the clean up, he said there is normally heavy flooding that portrays the town badly to tourists and other visitors visiting Malindi.
“There are good roads without drainage system to ensure water flows smoothly, we urge the government to upgrade the system to prevent flooding,’’ he said.
Muhsin said the problem could lead to huge losses as some houses could collapse due to poor drainage.
He said many business people are affected by the flooding during this rainy season as shops and other premises cannot be accessed.
The businessman also called on the government to place dustbins in the town so that people know specific areas to litter dirt so as to live in a clean environment.
“The county and national government should ensure they support in sensitization to help make the town clean for people stay in a proper environment,’’ he said.
George Kombe ,a youth leader from Malindi said they decided to clean up the drainage system at the main roundabout to ensure there is smooth flow of rainy water.
Normally the roundabout and Malindi petrol station is among the areas which flood whenever it rains causing havoc to people and motorists.
Kombe said they unblocked the drainage system and found a lot of plastic wastes that had blocked the system making it difficult for water to flow smoothly.
“This is part of our monthly clean-ups which we normally do every second week of the month. We used to come together as stakeholders from many organizations but due to covid, it was a bit different so we were divided into different groups in different areas. When we were asked where we were going to work, we choose the roundabout because it’s the face of Malindi,’’ he said.
He said the main challenge causing flooding was due to the blocked drainage but due to their activity, water had begun flowing smoothly.
Kombe appealed to the government to begin upgrading the system as the long rains had started flooding the resort town.
“We are appealing to the national government to come in hand and come with measures of unblocking and upgrade so as to make the water flow smoothly,’’ he said.
He said inside the system they found bottles and plastics which block the water and appealed to residents to ensure they dump their litter in bins.
The youth also called on the county government to enforce the waste management laws to ensure the environment is safeguarded.
Phillip Matei, the owner of Sabaki center along the Malindi-Lamu road said they have been having a problem with drainage for some time and have been forced to begin setting up measures to avoid flooding at his premises.
He said the problem worsened when Kenya National Highway Authority expanded the road which has led to more flooding when it rains.
“KENHA had left a large hole here which we had to repair it ourselves so as to make the drainage well but still the situation has not changed we would like those in charge of roads to check and make it to the best standards,’’ he said.
Matei said cleanliness starts with the drainage system which helps create a conducive environment for business.
Malindi is a renowned tourism destination that attracts thousands of tourists each year.