Dirt Blamed for Diseases in Thika - Eighty per cent of the diseases troubling residents of Thika District are related to poor environment, a public health officer Julius Inyingi has disclosed. Speaking at Witeithie Estate after a clean up exercised organized by his department in conjunction with Nema, Inyingi said the ailments could be avoided if the community conserved the environment at the grass-roots. He said that through collaboration with other stakeholders, they have been able to fight the above diseases. He said children had become useful agents in the conservation of the environment. Nema district co-ordinator Ken Odhiambo urged local residents to plant trees in the estate.

Inyingi said waste disposal was a major concern in the area. He warned landlords who do not drain their septic tanks and pit latrines that they would be arrested and prosecuted.

Students from Kenyatta University, Thika Medical Training Institute and pupils from select primary schools participated in the clean up. Social workers from Malaba community health unit will be collecting garbage twice a week in the estate. Tenants agreed to pay Sh10 to fund collection of refuse.

James Wakahiu

Nairobi Star/04/04/2011