Kirinyaga: The County Government of Kirinyaga has launched a major operation to remove all illegal structures erected on drainage systems, as part of a broader environmental management initiative aimed at mitigating flooding in urban centers. The exercise, which targets all major towns across the county, involves excavation and clearance of blocked sewers, restoration of natural waterways, and sensitization of the business community on flood risks.
According to Kenya News Agency, vacate notices were earlier issued to traders and property owners who had constructed any structure on top of storm water drainage systems. County officials noted that a majority of those affected complied with the directive before the operation commenced.
James Mutugi, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Environment, Energy, Climate Change, Natural Resources, Water and Irrigation, said the decision to remove the illegal structures followed a consultative meeting between the county government and business community representatives. 'We issued a two-week notice to all individuals who had built on drainage systems, and about 90 percent complied. These structures have been a major cause of the perennial flooding witnessed in our towns during rainy seasons,' Mutugi noted.
One of the key areas targeted in the exercise was Kagio Town, which is well-known for its busy fresh produce market. The town generates significant amounts of organic waste, much of which ends up in drainage channels, making continuous maintenance and cleaning essential. The ongoing construction of a four-storey ESP Market is expected to transform the town's infrastructure and provide modern amenities for traders, including improved garbage disposal systems.
In addition, the county government issued a stern warning to property owners against illegally connecting sewage lines to storm water drainage systems, as they are exclusively meant for rainwater runoff. 'The drainage is meant for stormwater, not sewage,' Mutugi emphasized. Every building must have a proper waste disposal system in place,' he added. This operation is one of the county's proactive steps toward sustainable urban planning, public health, and environmental conservation.