Bomet residents demand action after raw sewage overflows into Nyongores River

Emmanuel Rono 16th September, 2025 10:51 PM

Chebirir residents in Nyongores, Bomet County, are demanding urgent intervention from the county government to address a sewage crisis that has persisted for a month, posing what they describe as a public health emergency.

The problem stems from a blocked sewage line near Bomet University College, which has resulted in raw waste spilling into residential areas before flowing directly into the Nyongores River, the community’s main water source.

Village elder Zakayo Maritim said the situation has left the community living in fear of a disease outbreak.

“We have nothing else to wait for from here other than diseases,” Maritim said. “The sewage flow you see here flows directly to the Nyongores River and for us we go there again to fetch from the river since it is our primary source, now this is risking our lives and we are not safe from the outbreak of waterborne diseases.”

Residents closest to the affected area say they have borne the brunt of the crisis. Maureen Sang described how the stench has disrupted their lives.

“We are the most affected people here because we stay around this sewage. All the bad smell from the area comes directly to us. Over the past one month, this sewage has been flowing despite us complaining about it. It is risking our lives,” Sang said.

Another resident, Caren Koech, accused county departments of neglect.

“We are saying that enough is enough, most streets in Bomet town are littered and the Departments of Public Health and Environment have failed to discharge their duties. We are demanding them to perform their duties or else we get to the streets,” Koech declared.

Students from Bomet University College, who also rely on the Nyongores River, have joined the residents in calling for action. Emmanuel, a student representative, faulted the county leadership for failing to keep promises.

“The governor had promised us to construct proper drainage around here, but days have gone and the demand has not been addressed yet,” he said.

Both residents and students have now threatened to stage demonstrations within four days if the county government fails to act.

“There will be no need for us to go to the hospital and use a lot of money as much as a hundred thousand for treatment caused by this pollution, and yet the government can address this,” Emmanuel added.

Joseph Sanga, another resident, said the community would escalate its push for action.

“We are appealing to the governor to address our demands as soon as possible or else we will team up with our students not only from the university but also neighboring schools here. We want our demands to be met,” he said.

The residents are now awaiting a response from the county government, warning that if nothing is done, their protests will head straight to the governor’s office.