A growing waste management crisis is threatening to overwhelm Ongata Rongai, as residents decry the unchecked dumping of garbage along roadsides, drainage systems, and residential estates.
From Maasai Lodge to Kware Market, heaps of uncollected trash now line Magadi Road, mingling with traffic fumes and the stench of sewage. Traders, commuters, and families say the situation has reached a breaking point, with no clear intervention from county authorities or licensed waste handlers.
“This town is choking,” said Mary Wanjiku, a vendor at Tumaini. “We wake up to the smell of rot. Garbage is everywhere, near markets, roads, and even outside our homes.”
A spot check across Rongai revealed widespread dumping of household waste, including used diapers, broken glass, food remnants, and liquor bottles. In Maasai Lodge, residents blame unlicensed collectors (not so private garbage collectors) who solicit fees from businesses, only to discard the waste in undesignated areas.
“This is a public health hazard,” Mary said, “Children play near these dumps. Someone could get seriously hurt. We need proper bins, scheduled pickups, and enforcement against illegal dumping.”
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Despite its rapid urban expansion and rising property values, Rongai continues to lag behind in basic sanitation infrastructure.
Residents say the absence of designated dumping sites and irregular garbage collection may eventually turn the town into a sprawling open landfill.
Environmental advocates and residents alike are now calling for urgent intervention, including public awareness campaigns, investment in waste recycling, and stricter penalties for non-compliance.
Without swift action, Rongai’s waste crisis risks undermining public health, urban safety, and the town’s reputation as a growing metropolitan hub.
By Masaki Enock
