Uproar over choking garbage, stench in Kapsabet

Kapsabet residents on Sunday cried foul over the stench caused by uncollected garbage in the town after cleaners downed their tools protesting unpaid salaries.

The residents, led by Nandi County Chamber of Commerce Chairman Mr Samwel Seroney, said the town was no longer habitable as a result of excessive garbage and leaking sewages especially in the market.

They faulted the county government for failing to collect garbage from the market despite collecting revenue each day from business owners and town residents.

According to Leila Faraj, a businesswoman at Kapsabet Market, the garbage has been accumulating for days and the county government has failed in keeping the town clean, noting that the choking garbage was keeping customers from accessing the town center.

Residents have now been forced to live with the stench while the uncollected garbage and leaking sewages are exposing them to the risk of contracting diseases.

According to Bernard Sumeyon, who is one of the workers, it is not clear who is supposed to pay their salaries, adding that they would stay put until their salaries are paid in full.

Kapsabet Ward Member of County Assembly Fred Kipkemboi also accused the county government of neglecting its residents, noting that despite the county assembly allocating Sh600 million to town management few cleaners were hired.

He further promised to lead residents in refusing to pay fees to the county come Monday.

However, coming to the defence of the county government, Kapsabet Town Administrator Mr Josphat Melly said drainage and cleaning services had been contracted to private companies and are no longer undertaken by the County Government of Nandi.

The workers claimed that they have not been paid salaries for two months.

By Daniel Korir