MOMBASA, Kenya—Kiziwi residents in Tudor, Mombasa, have called on the county government to remove a dumpsite near Busy Bee School, citing foul smells, disruption to learning and concerns over the health of learners and the surrounding community.
The residents, school administration and Tudor Ward MCA-elect Samir Baloo say relocating the former dumpsite about 100 metres from its original position has failed to resolve the problem, with waste now being dumped directly in front of the school.
Busy Bee School Principal Dorothy Kaimuri said the stench was particularly severe when garbage was loaded onto trucks and during rainy weather, despite previous complaints to county and environmental authorities.
“What was the importance of closing the former dumpsite if they were to open it just next to the other one?” she posed.
Deputy Headteacher Kenneth Molo said the waste collection process also generated noise that interfered with lessons, while handcarts sometimes remained at the site for several days awaiting collection.
The school administration is concerned that the conditions could disrupt learning as candidates prepare for national examinations.
Residents say the problem extends beyond the school, affecting the wider Kiziwi neighbourhood, where children lack safe spaces to play and community members struggle to find suitable places for meetings.
Resident Awadh Abud said the community had endured the dumping problem for years. He also raised security concerns and alleged that he had received threats after speaking out against the dumpsite.
“We have suffered a lot from this dump for many years,” Abud said.
Baloo said he had raised the matter with County Chief Officer Hamid, who subsequently visited the site and issued a 24-hour notice.
“I gave this message to Chief Officer Hamid, and within 24 hours he himself came here and issued a 24-hour notice. So let us wait and see what will happen within those 24 hours,” he said.
The MCA-elect urged the county’s environment department to address the problem, warning that the continued accumulation of waste was affecting learners and other residents who use the road.
The residents and school administration want the county government to remove the dumpsite completely and establish a lasting waste management solution for the area.
