Sakaja Dares Nairobi Residents to Protest Over Poor Drainage in Pipeline Estate
NAIROBI, Kenya – May 4, 2023 – Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has challenged activists to stage protests over the persistent drainage problems in Pipeline Estate, a residential area that has struggled with poor drainage for decades.
Activist Hanifa Adan recently shared images on Twitter showing streets flooded with stagnant water, highlighting the worsening sewage situation during heavy rains. She urged the governor to take action, claiming that raising the issue offline had been ineffective.
Renowned activist Boniface Mwangi criticized Sakaja for months of inaction and suggested that residents organize demonstrations to compel the government to act. Responding, Sakaja said he had visited Pipeline Estate and assured that a sustainable solution addressing roads, drainage, and waste management is underway. He added, If you’d like, you can organize a protest. I don’t mind.
Pipeline Estate has long been plagued by poor sanitation, attributed to high population density, inadequate amenities, and neglect by private developers. Adan’s social media campaign drew attention to the broader issue of slum and residential estate management in Nairobi, including earlier efforts in Korogocho. The Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) has engaged landlords in the area as part of intervention measures, but residents remain concerned about worsening conditions, including the potential for cholera outbreaks.