Driving into Diani, piles of uncollected garbage greet visitors to the tourist town.
While the town boasts one of the cleanest beaches in the region, the unattended rubbish paints a different picture for holidaymakers flocking to the area for the Easter season.
According to residents, special garbage collection points, usually set up along the road, have not been cleared for just over two months, posing a hygiene threat to locals.
Khamisi Mwandaro, the Diani Municipality manager, blames the delay on a faulty garbage truck, but shopkeepers and residents blame the situation on the incompetence of those in charge.
Mwanahamisi Bakari, a resident, said many residents were now living in fear of waterborne diseases as the garbage—which is now spilling over the collection points—mixes with stagnant water, posing a serious health risk.
“We are already dealing with a drainage problem. So, when it rains and the water settles where the litter is, we cannot avoid stepping on it, and that becomes a big risk,” she said.
Diani has several designated stops where garbage is collected from hotels, homes and businesses before being transported by refuse trucks to the official county dumpsite in Msambweni.
An overflowing garbage collection point along the Likoni-Lunga Lunga road in Diani, Kwale County. Residents and tourists have raised concern over health risks posed by uncollected garbage in the resort town.
Photo credit: Siago Cece | Nation
When collection is delayed, the containers fill up, leading residents to dump waste on the ground, creating mini-dumpsites along the roads.
Some residents complained that the situation has led to an increase in flies, which are now common in restaurants and eateries.
“I had to stop drinking a soda because it was suddenly filled with flies,” said Ali Namatsi, another resident.
Fadhili Issa, a resident of Kona Musa, said the garbage has overstayed.
“This is almost the second month. We have our businesses here and those coming to clean try their best, but the garbage is not being collected. We run food businesses, yet those responsible for collecting the garbage have not shown any urgency,” said Mr Issa.
He added that food vendors in the area are suffering losses as the pungent smell of rotting waste drives away customers.
“We serve tourists and locals, but who will sit and eat next to flies and the stench of uncollected garbage?” he posed.
Business owners have also raised concerns that the poor sanitation could negatively impact Diani’s reputation as a leading tourist destination.
Mr Willis Odeche, the vice chairperson of Kenya National Chamber of Commerce Kwale chapter, said Diani has long been praised for its cleanliness and hospitality, but the litter is now disheartening and some tourists have begun complaining about the filth.
“We have noticed that no one is collecting this garbage and it gives a bad image for a tourist destination. We pay permits and taxes, and that should guarantee us the services we require,” he said.
Mr Odeche added that the county government should consider involving independent businesspeople to help with garbage collection.
“Some of the entrepreneurs have tried venturing into garbage collection, but despite paying Sh12,000 in annual permits, they are also required to pay a Sh1,000 daily CESS fee. That has made most of them shy away from the business. This should be reviewed,” he said.
“Our main garbage truck broke down, and we had delays in repairs. However, we have now repaired it and expect it to resume collection as soon as possible,” he said.
On the issue of hiring independent collectors, Mr Mwandaro said no firm has demonstrated the capacity to take on the work, but he was open to discussions with businesspeople to explore the possibility.
