Nairobi streets turn hazardous as open manholes endanger children and pedestrians

Residents of the larger Embakasi area are raising concern over a surge in uncovered manholes on important streets and sidewalks.

According to residents, the manholes have turned the streets, roads and estate playgrounds into dangerous traps, especially during rains.

The complains come after a seven-year-old boy fell into a manhole in Kayole estate while playing with other children.

He was lucky to be rescued just moments after falling into the manhole.

Residents who spoke to Wananchi Reporting said the opening had been concealed by dirty rainwater, making it impossible to discern.

“I heard children screaming and I immediately ran outside to check what was happening,” said Jeremiah Onyango, a water vendor in the area.

“Neighbours who had heard the cries managed to pull the young boy out before it was too late,” noted Onyango.

Timothy Karanja, a boda boda rider in the area, noted that the rising number of manholes and open drainage lines in the estates was exposing riders and pedestrians to danger.

“There are many open manholes along Manyanja road, and near Bee Centre and in many areas in Umoja, Donholmn, Pipeline, Kayole and Nyama Villa area,” said Karanja, highlighting an incident where a child almost died after falling into an open sink hole filled with sewage in Nyama Villa area not long ago.

Residents told Wananchi Reporting that it’s even more dangerous walking at night as many estates don’t have streetlights.

According to residents, many of the manhole covers have been stolen. In a rather desperate move, community members have been mobilising their efforts to mitigate the situation by using rocks and tree branches to cover the openings.

The residents are urging authorities to act swiftly to help avert tragedy – with many blaming them of being slow to respond to act.