Stakeholders and residents in Thika East sub-county, Kiambu County have petitioned the Government to embark on a clean-up exercise of the highly polluted Athi River.
Locals led by Emily Gachengo noted with concern that the extreme pollution of River Athi has choked life out of the River and cut short livelihoods of thousands of residents who depend on it downstream.
She was speaking during a clean-up exercise at Fourteen Falls tourist attraction site to mark the International Environment Day, Gachengo decried that the polluted waters has killed many economic activities along the river including fishing and farming.
Her sentiments were echoed by Edward Chule of Athi Kambiti Wildlife Conservancies Association (AKWCA) who affirmed that water life in the river has been cut short by the uncontrolled pollution.
Until a few years ago, the Fourteen Falls was a famous nature wonder that attracted tourists from across the globe.
The falls according to Dominic Wambua, a local tour guide, acted as a tourist hub that garnered attention and recognition of foreign tourist’s as well local ones who trooped the area to enjoy the exquisite view as well as its serenity.
They appealed to the Nairobi, Machakos and Kiambu County governments to intervene and address the issue solemnly saying that persistence of the pollution will halt many activities along River.
