Mombasa: Traders at Kongowea Market in Mombasa have raised concerns over accumulating garbage that is affecting daily operations and raising health concerns in one of the region’s busiest wholesale markets. The traders, who supply fresh produce to local residents and major tourist hotels, are calling on the county government to enhance waste collection efforts amid the ongoing challenge.
According to Kenya News Agency, overall chairman Julius Mutegi acknowledged the difficulties while highlighting the market’s economic importance. ‘Our Kongowea Market is facing serious challenges with cleanliness. The County Government has been working on waste management, but we feel more needs to be done quickly. We are not being treated as we deserve,’ Mutegi said. He pointed out the significant revenue the county collects from the market, noting that ‘about 220 vehicles enter every day, and each pays Sh7,000. That adds up to between Sh38 million and 42 million per week. We want to see these resources translating into better services for us.’
Mutegi noted that traders have held several meetings with county officials and appealed to residents of Mombasa to support calls for improved sanitation. Asha Hamisi, one of the chairpersons of the traders, expressed fears over health risks and urged stronger leadership. ‘We are living in conditions that could lead to diseases if not addressed promptly. We call on the Governor of Mombasa to ensure the Department of Environment acts swiftly and deploys competent teams to restore cleanliness,’ Hamisi said. She appealed for the county to prioritise the market, which serves thousands of traders and customers daily.
Elijah Kailikia, the Organizing Secretary, highlighted operational frustrations. ‘The taxes we pay here are substantial, and we expect reliable services. We sometimes hear operational challenges from the county side, but as business people, we need consistent cleanliness so we can continue serving the public with fresh, safe produce,’ Kailikia said. He mentioned additional daily collections from traders and stressed that drainage systems need urgent attention. ‘We sell food that even big hotels rely on. Our people are tired, and we want to maintain high standards for everyone’s health,’ he added. Kailikia warned that continued delays could force traders to take stronger measures. ‘If the situation is not improved soon, we may have no choice but to organize protests or temporarily close parts of the market to allow thorough cleaning. Today marks the seventh day of our appeal, and we hope for positive action,’ he said.
Advisor Gibson Gitonga called for broader support while recognizing county efforts. ‘We appeal to the Ministry of Health and the National Government to work together with the county on this. There is a risk of health issues like cholera if garbage piles up. The county has previously launched waste management programmes and invested in collection vehicles, we urge faster implementation here at Kongowea,’ Gitonga said. He noted that rotten produce leads to losses for farmers and traders alike.
The traders collectively appealed to Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir and county leadership for urgent intervention. ‘Please, Mombasa County Government, help us restore the market to a clean and safe environment for all,’ they pleaded. The Mombasa County Government has in recent years launched several waste management initiatives, including pilot programmes using youth groups and tuk-tuks for collection, and has expressed commitment to making the city one of the cleanest in Africa. Officials have previously indicated that solid waste is collected twice daily from key areas, though challenges persist due to the high volume of waste generated citywide.
