In the Central Business District of Murang’a town lies an open-air defecation yard situated behind Kenya Commercial Bank, sandwiched between business premises and rental units.
The area became a destination for bodily relief after a public toilet that once stood there was vandalised and left unrepaired, forcing residents and visitors to use the neighbouring open space.
Customers arriving at the site would find the facility vandalised, neglected and soiled. They then began relieving themselves nearby, and over time, the area degenerated into what it is today.
The situation has been worsened by some tenants who take advantage of the neglected yard to dump garbage in the area.
“More nauseating is when people relieve themselves on top of that garbage and later set it ablaze. The smell of burning human waste and garbage makes life a living hell for neighbouring tenants,” said Ms Eunice Waithera, a tenant.
A vandalised public toilet has forced residents to use an open yard that has become layered with human waste and rubbish and is now a breeding ground for rats and flies.
Photo credit: Mwangi Muiruri | Nation
Ironically, the eyesore thrives in the backdrop of Governor Dr Irungu Kang’ata’s smart city project, which recently won an award.
Dr Kang’ata was feted for what was described as his “innovative way of transforming major towns in Murang’a County by upgrading infrastructure, including tarmacking roads, installing street lights, and improving drainage and hygiene systems to boost business activities and security”.
His Smart City programme was recognised at the Smart Cities Forum Awards 2025, held recently at Two Rivers Mall in Nairobi.
“How smart is Murang’a town with this kind of eyesore, where raw effluent dries under the sun or is washed by rain to form sludge that snakes into nearby residential premises on its way to water bodies?” lamented Mr James Kimani, 83, a resident.
Scenes of men and women walking purposefully to the yard to respond to both long and short calls have become normal, with residents expressing dismay at the lack of response from authorities.
“What can we do? We have complained countless times to both the national and county governments. We have even tried to use community policing to deal with the menace, but none of it has worked,” said Mr Stephen Mwangi, who trades near the area.
A vandalised public toilet has forced residents to use an open yard that has become layered with human waste and rubbish and is now a breeding ground for rats and flies.
Photo credit: Mwangi Muiruri | Nation
A foul stench, rats and flies now define the space, which covers approximately 100 by 10 feet and is layered with human waste that accumulates daily.
In extreme cases, women risk attacks as they resort to the indignity of using the open-air toilet.
Mr David Kuria, a member of the Nyumba Kumi security initiative, said the area poses serious security risks.
“We receive about three reports every week of people being mugged as they relieve themselves in the area,” he said.
Further, corrupt county enforcement officers and rogue police officers are reported to be exploiting the situation by pouncing on people relieving themselves and demanding bribes.
Although women are the most affected, men and children are also victims.
“I was recently pressed by a short call. I asked where I could access a public toilet and was told the nearest one was far. A cobbler then directed me to help myself behind some shops. A uniformed police officer pounced on me and I had to part with Sh300. That is a very high price to pay for urinating,” said Mr Martin Mutiso, who had travelled from Murang’a Level Five Hospital to visit a sick relative.
Pressure is now mounting on the county government to respond to what residents describe as a ticking public health time bomb.
“We urgently need the county government to come to our rescue. This is a very dehumanising situation. In Murang’a town, the county headquarters, we lack enough public toilets that are easily accessible, especially for visitors,” said Ms Jacinta Mugure, who has traded in the town for 20 years.
She noted that the town has only two functional public toilets, both tucked away in isolated corners.
“One is located in the crime-prone Kayole estate, where narcotics gangs operate nearby,” she said.
The other is near the low-profile Mukurwe-ini stage, where users are charged between Sh10 and Sh20.
Murang’a County Health Chief Officer, Mr Eliud Maina, attributed the shortage of public toilets to years of neglect and land grabbing.
A vandalised public toilet has forced residents to use an open yard that has become layered with human waste and rubbish and is now a breeding ground for rats and flies.
Photo credit: Mwangi Muiruri | Nation
He added that many bars in the town lack proper toilet facilities, forcing patrons to relieve themselves in public spaces.
“We had a public toilet near Murang’a Marikiti market, but it has since been converted into business premises,” he said.
Mr Maina told Nation that the county government is aware of the eyesore and is in the process of allocating a budget to close it and establish a functional, well-maintained public toilet at the site.
He said the area would be subjected to full public health protocols, including closure and disinfection.
“We are treating this issue as an emergency and will release the necessary funds to deal with this serious public health threat with the finality it deserves,” said Mr Maina.
He added that the county government, in partnership with the Murang’a Municipal Board, is exploring ways to establish more public toilets while closing the open defecation yard.
Mr Maina said all public toilets, including a structure initially intended as a public smoking zone that has since been converted into private business premises, will be repossessed and reverted to their intended use.
Environment Chief Executive Officer Ms Mary Magochi told Nation that she had directed ground workers to ensure the area is kept clean and that enforcement officers begin apprehending those using it.
“It is not only illegal to relieve oneself in public, but the practice also endangers the health of residents and neighbouring communities,” she said.
She warned that rainwater washes human waste into nearby water bodies, increasing the risk of disease and threatening aquatic life.
