Traders at Wagai Market in Gem sub county, are lamenting noting that they face the imminent risk of closing their businesses due to dire environmental conditions, citing blocked drainage systems and months of uncollected waste.

They are directing their frustration at the Siaya County Government’s sanitation department.

Market Chairperson Shem Auma detailed the crisis, noting that waste has been piling up for three months.

“The wastes keep piling up and we were told that there is no fuel. We are left wondering why a whole county government can’t afford fueling their trucks to ease collection of wastes,” Auma wondered.

He also highlighted the non-functional drainage, which has led to widespread water stagnation and foul smells, severely impacting the market’s operations.

Health Risks and Financial Strain

The poor sanitation has already drawn the attention of health authorities.

Auma confirmed that Public Health officials from Gem Sub-county have visited the market and threatened to suspend operations until the issues are resolved, as the conditions pose a significant health risk to traders and buyers, many of whom come from Central and West Gem.

Traders fear losing their livelihoods, with many servicing loans from banks and informal lenders (“Shylock”).

The untidy environment and foul smell are already driving customers away to neighboring centers like Ngiya, Nyangueso, Kodiaga, Siaya, and Luanda, potentially resulting in significant revenue losses for the County Government of Siaya.

A private dumping site was recently fenced off by the owner, leaving traders with no alternative place to dispose of waste, forcing them to dump at the market’s entrance.

Maxwell (not his real name), a trader, complained about tall grass along the drainage lines, which has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects, causing bites during operating hours.

Call for Immediate Action

Charity Akuno, a rights activist and trader representative, made an urgent appeal to the County Government of Siaya.

“We call upon the County Government to repair or purchase trucks that can be used to collect wastes. We are operating in a poor environment yet they continue to collect tax; they should act and collect all the wastes so that we operate from a favourable environment. Also, they should install waste bins,” Akuno appealed.

Traders, speaking anonymously, revealed their dissatisfaction with the county’s inaction, noting they have been forced to hire volunteers at their own expense to unblock the drainage system, which was flooded with debris during heavy rains over the last three months.

They are now collectively calling on the county leadership, including Governor James Orengo, County MP Christine Ombaka, Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo, and MCAs Silas Madingu and Susan Okwiri, to intervene immediately.

This advocacy push is aligned with the “Amplifying Grassroots Voices on County Governance and Development” program, launched by Wagai Environmental Science and Development (WESDEP) with support from the European Union.

Program Coordinator Pauline Achieng stated the initiative trains special groups on how to effectively engage leaders and organizations on issues like climate justice and the environment, ensuring their business environments are sustainable.