Residents use plastic papers to cover their clothes from dust and water from clothes on the upper floors. [PHOTO/Standard]
Although authorities have banned plastics in a move to fight pollution, residents of Pipeline will not be embracing the ban any time soon.
In the estate, plastics papers are used by flat residents when airing their clothes out to dry.
The plastic covers are used to protect their clothes from dust or any water that drips from the upper floors.
Majority of these flats go up to the seventh or eighth floors with each floor built with a balcony from where occupants hang their clothes out.
In the dry seasons, the place becomes dusty and hanging clothes without any plastic cover is a waste of time because they will accumulate dust and appear unwashed.
“Here, there are flats of up to eight floors and people wash at different times. Some people have clothes that shed colour, others do not properly wring out excess water from the clothes and if you do not cover your clothes, you might find them ruined or wet long after you washed them,” said Enock Mutua, a caretaker.
He said there is always the fear that someone from the upper floor will hang dripping clothes above yours.
“One is never sure unless you live on the topmost floor. Some of the buildings have space on the rooftops for tenants to air clothes,” said Mutua.
To him, it is easier for residents to put up with this 'small challenge' than move to other estates where life is tougher.
“Most of the houses here are single rooms, bedsitters and one bedroom which range from Sh5,000 to Sh9,000,” said Mutua.