Three Years After City Status, Garbage Menace Threatens to Dim Eldoret’s Shine
Residents and commuters interviewed attributed the growing litter problem to an apparent shortage of public waste bins and irregular garbage collection by the county.
Photo: Courtesy.
By Naomi Cheruiyot
Three years after Eldoret was elevated to Kenya’s fifth city, a mounting garbage crisis is threatening to overshadow its rapid growth and raising tough questions about whether the city’s infrastructure is keeping pace with its new status.
Across several estates, markets and the Central Business District (CBD), heaps of uncollected garbage have become a common sight. From public transport stages, road reserves, backstreets and drainage channels, waste is piling up, creating an unpleasant and unhealthy environment for residents, traders and visitors.
At the main bus and matatu stages, the situation is particularly dire. Drivers and conductors say the problem has worsened in recent months, with blocked drainage systems caused by accumulated plastic waste, food remains and other refuse becoming a major nightmare, especially during the rainy season.
“When the drains are blocked, rainwater flows through the stage instead of the drainage channels. Passengers struggle to board vehicles because the area becomes flooded and muddy,” said Kelvin Kipchichir, a public service vehicle driver operating within Eldoret city, in an interview with Hubz Media.
Beyond disrupting transport, the waste has become a serious public health concern. Rotting garbage produces foul smells that linger around busy commercial areas such as Uganda Road, Oloo Street and Zion Mall area, while litter scattered along streets paints a picture that contrasts sharply with Eldoret’s ambitions as a modern, clean and investor-friendly city.
Residents and commuters interviewed attributed the growing litter problem to an apparent shortage of public waste bins and irregular garbage collection by the county. Without designated places to dispose of rubbish, many people resort to discarding waste on roadsides, pavements and open spaces.
“You can walk for several metres in town without seeing a single dustbin. Where do you expect people to throw litter?” posed a trader at Eldoret Main Market.
Environmental observers warn that blocked drainage systems not only increase the risk of flash floods but also create breeding grounds for disease-carrying insects, rodents and other vectors. During heavy rains, overflowing drains leave roads impassable and expose residents to contaminated water, raising the risk of cholera and other waterborne diseases.
The situation has prompted questions about the municipality’s waste collection strategy and whether enough resources have been allocated to keep the rapidly expanding city clean.
When Hubz Media sought a response, a senior official at the Eldoret City Municipality acknowledged the shortage of litter bins and said the office plans to purchase additional bins before the end of July to address the menace.
The official expressed confidence that the new bins would help improve waste disposal and reduce littering across the city, adding that the municipality is also working on a long-term solid waste management plan.
However, residents argue that installing litter bins alone will not solve the problem. They are calling for more frequent garbage collection, stricter enforcement against illegal dumping, heavy fines for offenders, public awareness campaigns on proper waste disposal, and regular unclogging and maintenance of drainage systems.
As Eldoret continues to grow as a regional economic hub for the North Rift, many residents believe that effective waste management is essential to preserving the city’s image, protecting public health, and fulfilling the promise that came with its elevation to city status on August 15, 2024.
For now, the piles of garbage lining streets and transport stages remain a visible reminder of the gap between Eldoret’s urban aspirations and the everyday realities experienced by its residents.
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