Over 50 families stranded in Kawangware as raw sewage floods homes

For the past four days, residents of Kamitha area in Kawangware, Dagoretti North Constituency, have been counting losses after raw sewage flooded their homes following ongoing short rains.

More than 50 families have been left stranded and desperate for assistance as the situation worsens.

The flooding, triggered by continuous heavy rainfall, has submerged houses and household items, turning the once-busy neighborhood into a foul-smelling pool of murky water and mud.

Residents say they have never witnessed such severe flooding before.

According to Mr. John Njenga, one of the affected residents, the crisis began after a local landowner allegedly blocked the main drainage outlet and converted his parcel of land into a dumping site for truckloads of soil waste from nearby construction sites.

“We have raised complaints and even petitioned NEMA and the Nairobi County Government several times to stop the dumping, but nothing has been done,” Njenga lamented.

The blocked drainage has combined with overflowing sewer lines to create a serious public health risk. With no immediate government response, residents have resorted to clearing the drains on their own — a dangerous and unhygienic task.

“Last week, a volunteer had to dive into a manhole filled with raw waste just to unclog it,” Njenga added.

Ms. Jane Wanjiru, another resident, voiced concerns about the safety of children in the area, saying many are exposed to contaminated water and face the risk of contracting diseases such as cholera and typhoid.

“We fear our children could fall sick because of the dirty water,” Wanjiru said.

Residents are now appealing to Gatina Ward MCA Hon. Swaka and Dagoretti North MP Hon. Beatrice Elachi to visit the area and help find a lasting solution to the crisis.

Despite bordering the affluent Lavington Estate, Kamitha remains underserved in basic infrastructure such as proper sewer systems and drainage. Residents say this stark contrast underscores the deepening inequality in service delivery across Nairobi’s neighborhoods.