One of the rivers affected by the poor dumping of waste. [Photo/Kisii county Facebook page]
Residents of Kisii Town have been warned against dumping waste into open drains and rivers.
The Department of Water Services says those violating environmental laws will be arrested and prosecuted.
The Environmental Management and Coordination Act, (EMCA) 2015 prohibits pit latrines, laundry or domestic water discharge on riparian land.
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In a statement, Chief Officer for Water Services Zablon Ongori says the County Government is committed to providing sufficient, hygienic and economically viable water and sanitation services to residents.
“We have noted that some residents are deliberately blocking sewers or dumping rocks in manholes to divert sewage into farms along rivers for the cultivation of nappier and other crops. We shall take stern action against those involved,” said Ongori.
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The Gusii Water and Sanitation Company (GWASCO) has so far managed to unclog all blocked manholes in Kisii Town bringing to an end leakage of raw sewage into local rivers.
Residents have also been warned against cultivating crops along the riparian land. The distance of cultivated land from rivers should be 30m from the highest water-mark during the peak of the rainy season.
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