Residents of Athi River town have called on the Machakos County government to improve solid waste management in the entire Mavoko sub county.
Speaking at Athi River open air market on Tuesday, the residents claimed the county government had failed in managing waste in the entire region.
"The situation of solid waste disposal and management is pathetic in the entire Mavoko Sub-county. Concerned authorities continue sleeping on the job," Joshua Mutinda, resident said.
Mutinda said that waste material in several disposal points still lay uncollected from despite their constant requests for action.
Joyce Muthoni, a resident and trader at the market said waste management in the region by Mavoko Sub County is far below her expectations.
"The public who continue remitting taxes to the county government are not getting value for their money as far as solid waste management in the sub county is concerned," she said.
The residents called for quick intervention from the county government expressing fears that the situation would lead to a disease breakout.
They said affected areas include Athi River town, Mlolongo town and slums associated with the towns whose high population they say is at risk of adverse effects.
Stephen Mainge a trader in the area claims that the problem is due to staffing issues .
"The problem started when casual employees attending to the solid waste were sacked and others employed to replace them in March this year," said Mainge.
The sub county's administrator, Moses Muthusi, admitted that there was a problem in the department that has led to accumulation in the towns.
Muthusi however said his office was working on a comprehensive strategic plan to offer a permanent solution.