Protests Erupt Along Jogoo Road as Traders Dump Garbage Over Waste Crisis
Demonstrations broke out along Jogoo Road on Saturday, March 28, after traders operating at Muthurwa Market took to the streets in protest against what they described as the county government’s continued failure to collect garbage.
In a dramatic move meant to attract attention, the traders dumped large piles of waste directly onto the busy road leading into the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
The action quickly caused serious traffic disruption, affecting both private motorists and public transport operators.
Vehicles heading into and out of the CBD were forced to slow down or completely change routes, creating long traffic snarl-ups.
Many commuters found themselves stranded or delayed as police and traffic officers attempted to manage the situation.
As a result of the blockade, drivers were redirected to alternative routes such as Outer Ring Road and Mombasa Road.
However, these roads were already experiencing heavy traffic, making the situation even worse. Passengers heading to work and other engagements expressed frustration over the delays, with some forced to spend hours on the road.
According to the traders, the protest was not a sudden decision but the result of weeks of frustration. They claimed they had repeatedly reached out to the county government, urging officials to clear the growing piles of garbage at the market, but no meaningful action had been taken.
The traders said the waste had accumulated to dangerous levels, making it difficult for them to operate their businesses in a clean and safe environment.
They further explained that the uncollected garbage had started attracting scavengers, including stray dogs and pigs, which roam freely around the market.
This has raised serious health concerns among traders, customers, and nearby residents, who now fear possible outbreaks of diseases due to poor sanitation and exposure to waste.
Eyewitnesses at the scene said the traders intentionally poured the garbage onto the road as a way of forcing authorities to take notice of their grievances.
Many described the act as a last resort after all other attempts to get help from the county had failed.
This incident has once again highlighted Nairobi’s ongoing waste management crisis, which continues to affect many parts of the city.
Several residential areas and business zones have been struggling with uncollected garbage, blocked drainage systems, and poor sanitation services.
The situation tends to worsen during the rainy season, when clogged drainage often leads to flooding, disrupting transport and putting lives at risk.
In some cases, floods caused by blocked drainage systems have swept through roads and homes, exposing residents to waterborne diseases and other health hazards.
City residents have increasingly raised concerns about the lack of a sustainable and effective waste management system.
The protests come just weeks after a major agreement was signed between the national government and the Nairobi City County Government aimed at improving service delivery in the capital.
The deal, which was reached at State House in Nairobi on February 17, saw the national government step in to oversee key functions such as garbage collection and disposal.
Governor Johnson Sakaja had earlier defended the agreement, saying it was designed to strengthen cooperation between the two levels of government and ensure better service delivery for Nairobi residents.
He emphasized that the partnership would help address long-standing challenges affecting the city, including waste management.
However, the latest protests suggest that residents and traders are yet to feel the impact of these changes on the ground.
Many are now calling for immediate and practical solutions rather than promises, warning that the situation could worsen if urgent action is not taken.
So far, county officials have not released a detailed statement regarding the Jogoo Road demonstrations.
Nevertheless, pressure continues to build on the county government to act swiftly and restore order, as well as to provide a lasting solution to Nairobi’s growing garbage problem.
Join Kenya Govt Official WhatsApp Channel to stay updated on time
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
