The Kikuyu Sub-County head of public health, Ms. Rose Muiruri has issued a warning to the business people in Kikuyu town who dispose raw waste both on land and the local river that they risk being prosecuted.
Speaking from her office on Friday, Ms. Muiruri said her office was carrying out investigations after they received information that some business people were illegally disposing their raw waste onto the open land and in local rivers which she described as hazardous to the lives of the residents.
She also said that although the town does not have a sewerage system, each owner of a building is required by law to have a proper sewer and other waste disposal systems which is properly approved by her office in conjunction with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
With regards to garbage disposal, Ms. Muiruri said her department is working with the county government in order to purchase a few trucks for collecting garbage in Kikuyu town. She also said that they are engaging the county government to ensure that a proper dumping site is set aside to keep the town clean.
The health officer added that her department will be inspecting food handlers thrice per week to ensure that they meet the expected standards. She said food should be sold in clean places in order to prevent food poisoning.
“I’m urging the county government to set up sanitary facilities in designated areas along the road since long distance buses are fond of stopping anywhere for the passengers to answer their calls of nature. This contributes to making the environment filthy,” Ms.Muiruri said.