Kamulu residents engulfed by stench and filth from dumpsite

It’s a hive of activity as dozens of waste collectors rummage through a heap of dumped waste in Kamulu, along Kangundo Road.

The pile is an unpleasant mix of debris, including construction waste, household garbage such as rotting food scraps, nylon bags, broken glass bottles, plastic containers, old shoes and clothes, pipes, ropes, broken plastics, timber off-cuts, paint cans, aerosol containers, and even discarded electrical appliances.

The collectors seem unfazed by the pungent stench rising from the waste. They continue gathering items and moving them to a corner of the site, where they sort through the haul, picking out anything they can sell.

Four years ago, the area was clean, save for an open depression that collected and stored rainwater, nestled between residential homes and Kangundo Road.

Joseph Kinyua, a resident, recalls how it all began. “One day, we woke up and found three sacks of rotting vegetable remains dumped at night. Because of the stench, residents condemned whoever was responsible and hoped it wouldn’t happen again, especially since this is a residential place,” he explains.

That week, no one came to dump anything. However, in the second week, residents woke up to find a much larger heap, seemingly offloaded by a lorry during the night. Since then, illegal dumping has continued under the cover of darkness, as residents watch helplessly.

Alice Mwende, who once owned a stall selling vegetables, grains and foodstuffs, was forced to relocate as the dumpsite grew. “The stench from the dumpsite became unbearable. Houseflies and other insects were moving from the garbage to the food. It was unhealthy,” she says.

Residents report that when it rains, foul-smelling water flows into their houses.

The dumpsite is now attracting stray animals. “We are afraid the presence of stray animals may pose a threat, particularly to children in the community,” Josephine Anyango warns.

They also regularly witness livestock—such as cattle, goats, sheep and donkeys—frequenting the site and feeding on waste materials, including nylon and plastics.

Residents are frustrated by waste collectors who are always burning garbage, producing foul-smelling smoke that lingers for days.

Daniel Wanjuki, the lead expert and environmental scientist at Ecosave Africa Ltd, acknowledges that fires at dumpsites do occur, but notes they are not always started by waste collectors.

“Fires are often caused by gases being generated beneath the dumpsite. If one lights a fire there, the gases feed it, making it difficult to extinguish,” he explains.

Burning waste, especially plastics and electronic materials, pollutes the air by releasing hazardous gases such as dioxins, furans, and particulate matter, which pollute the environment.

He explains that another dangerous gas produced by dumpsites is methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to climate change.

Some are afraid the dumpsite could become a source of crime like mugging and theft. Already, waste collectors have built and now live in makeshift houses along its edges.

Mary Boniface, a clinical officer at Sonographer and Health Systems Strengthening Specialist, describes living near a dumpsite as “like breathing through a disease”, where the air is thick with toxins, the water laced with danger, and every open wound becomes a potential entry point for infection.

“As toxic liquids from decomposing waste seep into the soil and contaminate nearby water sources, they can lead to the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, hepatitis and various diarrhoeal illnesses, especially affecting children under five,” she explains.

Mary explains that people living near dumpsites are at high risk of contracting vector-borne diseases due to the presence of insects and rodents attracted by unmanaged waste.

Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water trapped in plastic waste, spreading diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and chikungunya.

She says, “Flies transfer germs from dumpsites to food and utensils, while rats carry dangerous diseases such as leptospirosis, plague, and salmonellosis.”

Mary says people living near dumpsites are exposed to a hazardous mix of bacteria, fungi and toxic chemicals.

She warns that direct contact with waste materials can lead to skin rashes, fungal infections, and eye irritations. “Sharp objects like broken glass and needles increase the risk of tetanus and even HIV through injury.”

The heavy metals and chemicals from dumpsites are particularly harmful to children, as they can impair brain development and lead to learning difficulties. Also, prolonged exposure may result in kidney damage, cancer, and reproductive health problems.

Dumpsites are known to contribute to chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). “There’s increased risk of lung infections and persistent coughing, especially among children and the elderly due to their lower immunity,” Mary explains.

She explains that living next to dumpsites brings more than physical illness—it brings emotional and mental strain.

Mary explains that children and families in these areas are often unfairly labelled as ‘dirty’ or ‘lesser’, which leads to bullying in schools, low self-esteem, and reduced social mobility. “The stigma affects education, employment, and the community’s ability to thrive,” she adds.Mary says, people-especially children-who play or scavenge in dumpsites are exposed to a hazardous mix of bacteria, fungi and toxic chemicals.

She warns, direct contact with waste materials can lead to skin rashes, fungal infections and eye irritations. “Sharp objects like broken glass and needles increase the risk of tetanus and even HIV through injury.”

The heavy metal and chemical from dumpsite are particularly harmful to children, as they can impair brain development and lead to learning difficulties. Also, prolonged exposure may also result in kidney damage, cancer, and reproductive health problems.

Dumpsites are known to contribute to chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). “There’s increased risk of lung infections and persistent coughing, especially among children and the elderly due to their lower immunity,” Mary explains.

She explains, living next to dumpsites brings more than physical illness, it brings emotional and mental strain.

Mary explains, children and families in these areas are often unfairly labelled as ‘dirty or “lesser’ which leads to bullying in schools, low self-esteem, and reduced social mobility. “The stigma affects education, employment, and the community’s ability to thrive,” she adds.

Energy generation

Wanjiku explains, some dumpsites have existed for many years, meaning some materials are still decomposing and as it breaks down, it releases gases like ammonia that also affects people’s health.

He explains, “In Western countries, old dumpsites are often covered with soil to create a sealed layer, allowing methane to be captured and used to generate energy.”

Livestock feeding on wastes at dumpsites can transmit zoonotic diseases such as leptospirosis, anthrax, and brucellosis to humans.

He, explains, understanding the levels of toxic metal in livestock feeding on dumpsite waste is important for assessing the effects of pollutants in animals and the risks of contamination to humans. Additionally, dumpsites displace animals from their natural homes and habitats.

Wanjiku warns, the biggest mistake people make is ignoring the levels of pollution from decomposing waste. Yet, in communities near dumpsites, such as Korogocho, residents often experience heavy corrosion of rooftops and iron sheets.

“These people have to replace their roofs every three years. This is due to generation Sulfuric acid that corrodes rooftops,” he explains.

It is even worse, Wanjiku warns, residents in these areas inhale sulfuric acid in their daily lives when it enters their lungs, it contributes to numerous respiratory diseases, adding significant health burden.

He notes economic impact, saying that clothes of people living near dumpsites tear faster. “When you spread your clothes or sheets to dry, the gases absorbed from environment break down the fibres, weakening them,” he says.

He explains, dumpsites will continue to grow, as long as there is no comprehensive system in place to eliminate waste effectively. Currently, less than 12 percent of the waste generated in the country, especially plastics, is recycled.

In Kenya, all types of wastes are dumped together at the dumpsite. The proper approach is for everyone to sort their waste at household level before handing it over to collectors.

“We can introduce three bins, for recyclables, organic and non-recyclable separately, and implement systems that promote reducing, recycling and reusing,” he suggests.

Local residents say they have reported the issue several times, but a lasting solution remains elusive. “What we often see are trucks coming to collect the waste, but the dumping still continues, it now looks like an official dumping site,” they complain.

Wanjiku emphasizes the need to education the public about the dangers of improper waste disposal. He urges authorities to step up and enforce stronger regulations to protect people, animals and environment.