Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti wants the national government to fast track cleaning of Athi River to curb waterborne diseases caused by consumption of the contaminated water.
Wavinya noted that residents in areas bordering the river especially in Mwala Subcounty have registered an increase of cancer cases and other water borne diseases due to the consumption of the water from the heavily polluted river.
Speaking during a fundraiser at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Mwala on Sunday, Ndeti underscored the need to expedite the cleaning of the river to reverse the worrying trend.
“Many residents of Mwala have been diagnosed with cancer as a result of the polluted water. My expectations is that the commission we formed in partnership with the national government will speed up the clean-up,” said Wavinya.
The governor disclosed that her government had set up a cancer screening and treatment centre at the Machakos Level Five Hospital to specifically attend to cancer cases from the regions bordering the river.
She called on residents to take advantage of the ongoing short rains to harvest water for both domestic use and subsistence irrigation.
“Now that the rains have come we ask residents to practice organic farming and produce healthy food for their families,”said Wavinya.
The governor was accompanied by Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka who asked elected leaders to serve Kenyans with humility regardless of their political affiliation.
“Elections are over, it does not matter which party you were elected on as a leader. What is important now is for us to serve Kenyans and avoid nepotism or tribalism,” Lusaka said.
By Roselyne Kavoo
