‘Mudness’: Heavy rains turn Nairobi estate roads into ‘sea of mud’

The ongoing rains have rendered many deeplying estate roads in Nairobi’s Eastlands area impassable.

Affected areas include Kayole, Dandoda, Tassia, Donholm, Pipeline, Mukuru kwa Njenga, Nyama Villa, Obama, Umoja, Kariobangi, Huruma, Githurai and Mathare.

Motorists and pedestrians in some of the estates have had to contend with the difficult assignment of navigating the muddied estate roads – sometimes at night.  

“It’s nearly impossible to walk in the estates because the roads are flooded. Some of the water is coming from blocked sewer lines that run through the estates,” said Helen Nyangweso, a resident of Kayole.

Residents told Wananchi Reporting that individuals living with physical forms of disability are finding it difficult to move into and out of the estates.

“You have to be physically fit to jump from one dry spot to another and to avoid stepping on mud,” said William Ngesa, a resident of Tassia.

Many are wondering why the county government did not make adequate plans early enough to ensure estate roads are not flooded during the rains.

There is a feeling among the residents that a lot of focus has been place on premium estates, while feeder roads in deep lying estates and slums remain neglected.

“Flooding in estates is a perennial problem here in Nairobi. The rains have just started and already estate roads are muddied and flooded. Nairobi needs a permanent solution to this problem,” said Ngesa.

Residents want the county government of Nairobi to rein in contractors who dump loose soil on the side of the road leading to muddied roads during rains. Additionally, they want the county to tarmac estate roads; even smaller ones, and open up drainage lines.