This campaign draws attention to the mess of widespread problems with pollution, sanitation and government neglect in Nairobi. Concerned citizens have been sharing images of pollution and sewage leakage in Nairobi. The problem of filth and detritus in their neighborhoods have persisted for years, impacting local populations and nearby buildings, including hospitals and schools. 

According to a documentary by Athi Water Works Development Agency on Independent community free water supply projects, only 48 percent of Nairobi’s  population is connected to sewer systems. 

According to a study carried out by the Water and Sanitation Program in 2014, poor sanitation costs Kenya Sh27 billion every year. It said the untreated sewage spills down into river channels, thus exposing the public to great health hazards and risks. This leads to waterborne diseases and those that are brought by poor observation of sanitation.

The passage of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution had a wide set of implications for the water and sanitation sector. Primarily, the Constitution acknowledges access to clean and safe water as a basic human right and assigns the responsibility for water supply and sanitation service provision to 47 newly established counties. The purpose of the 2016 Water Act was to align the water sector with the Constitution’s primary objective of devolution. The act recognizes that water related functions are a shared responsibility between the national government and the county government. 

Contrary  to Article 232 of the Constitution, the fact  that this issue has not been resolved for years means that citizens are not being provided with responsive, prompt, and effective service; it is a failure to exercise general supervision and coordination over air and water pollution contrary to Section 9 of EMCA and a failure of  monitoring and assessing the activities of lead agencies under that section; failure in its duty as the principal instrument of Government in the implementation of policies relating to the environment; threatening to deprive Kenyans of life contrary to Article 26(3) by condoning pollution in the Nairobi area and subjecting them to inhuman and degrading treatment contrary to Article 29 of the Constitution; and failing to implement legislation to fulfill Kenya’s international obligations.

We appeal to the relevant duty bearers to follow through on respecting Kenya’s bill of rights on social and economic protections, as articulated in Article 43 of the consitution,  every Kenyan has the right to accessible and adequate housing, and to reasonable standards of sanitation.