Nairobi: Residents raise concern over rat menace

Nairobi residents' struggle with a growing rat population is raising fresh concerns over public health, poor sanitation and waste management in the estates.

People have reported increased rodent activity in the estates, with some blaming it on poor garbage collection and management.

“The estates are muddy and filthy especially now that it is raining, with piles of uncollected rubbish thrown at every corner and left to rot,” said Anthony Lisimba, a resident of Dandora.

Anthony told Wananchi Reporting that illegal dumping and poor hygiene are creating favourable conditions for rats to grow and multiply in number.

In Umoja and the neighbouring Kayole estate, residents have constantly raised concerns about rats invading their houses, causing destruction and disturbance.

“Dirty rainwater has been left to run in open fields and onto the roadside collecting with it rotting garbage. This too attracts rats. Some of us who sell food items along the roads and near estates no longer attract customers. Many customers would not want to buy food items in areas infested with rats and flies,” says Dorcas Opiyo, a fishmonger in Embakasi.

Residents who spoke to Wananchi Reporting are asking the Nairobi county government, through the county public nuisance act, to take measures for the suppression of rats and vermin; set traps or take other measures to mitigate the situation.