Mombasa County Gov’t accused of discharging raw sewage into Indian Ocean

Residents of Old Town in Mombasa County have raised health concerns over raw sewage being discharged in the Indian Ocean by the County government.

According to the residents, the sewage issue has been persistent for over seven years as the sewage machine that was provided to pump the waste and draw water has not been effective.

The affected residents say they have been living with the smell of raw sewage, a situation that exposes them to health hazards.

Led by Old Town residents, Chairman Ahmed Awadh, blamed the Mombasa County Government and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) for poor management of sewerage waste directed into the Indian Ocean.

Ahmed protested that the ongoing discharge of raw sewer along Old Town threatens marine ecosystems and human life.

He said the residents are disappointed with NEMA for failing to enforce environmental measures to prevent the discharge of raw sewer into the sea.

Ahmed said the county government and NEMA must find ways of ensuring raw sewage is not directed into the Indian Ocean.

He urged the two relevant entities to close all sources of the sewers generated from nearby institutions that are either not treated or have malfunctioning sewage treatment systems.

Old Town Community Chairman Ahmed Awadh addressing the media at Old Town Beach .

“We have received lodged complaints to the two bodies but no action has been taken, he said.

Another resident Mohamed Amir faulted the Mombasa County Government for failing to put in place a mechanism to control pollution of the sea by repairing the grounded wastewater and raw sewerage treatment plants.

Speaking in the same breath Faiz Ali who is the Vice Chairman of Old Town Beach Management Unit said the discharge of raw sewage to marine waters has led to a dramatic decline of fish which has affected the fishermen in the area.

“Our Old Town Beach now is a dead zone, there is no breeding habitat for fish and the main reason is polluted water,” said Faiz.

Muslim for Human Rights (MUHURI) through their Rapid Response Field Officer Francis Auma faulted the Mombasa County Government for failing to address the plight of Old Town residents.

He said the lobby group will be collecting signatures to petition the county government to compensate the residents whose health have been affected and also the fishermen who have been deprived of their livelihood.

Last year The National Complains Committee (NECC) ordered for immediate stoppage of raw sewer into the Indian Ocean in Mombasa, they protested that the ongoing discharge of raw sewer in the marine waters was threatening the marine ecosystem and human life.

Mombasa, a port town and a tourism hub, has no functional sewerage system as the Kizingo Sewerage Treatment Plant collapsed 20 years ago forcing the residents to empty effluent into the Indian Ocean, while others pour the filth into stormwater drains.