Parents Raise Alarm Over Open Trenches As Schools are Set to Reopen
Some parents have expressed concern over drainage trenches left open on the sides of recently completed roads in Nairobi’s Eastlands area.
The initially well covered drainage trenches used as walkways now pose a danger to children.
Some people, for whatever reason, have opened the concrete slabs that cover the drainage tunnels, leaving the trenches open.
According to some parents, with schools reopening for the second term, they fear that their children may be injured on their way to or from school.
“There have been cases where children have tripped and fallen into these trenches. Parents were left to bear the medical bills, especially if the children were seriously injured, ”said Fiona Akinyi, one of the residents.
Akinyi recounted an incident in which a four-year-old child tripped and fell into a shallow drainage hole while walking from school with other children.
“The child had to be pulled out of the trench by a good Samaritan. The girl was lucky because she only suffered minor bruises, but she was traumatized by the incident, “Akinyi noted.
She added that there have been cases of drunkards and new people in the area who have fallen into the trenches.
Open trenches are common along the recently refurbished outer ring road, directly from the Pipeline roundabout at the far end of the road, through Donholm, towards Allsops.
According to reports, most of the drainage trenches have the concrete covers pushed, leaving the tunnel open.
“Most of these drainage trenches have been turned into garbage cans by roadside traders,” said Clement Chacha, a boda-boda pilot.
Some parents have had to enroll their children in school transportation programs to make sure they get home safely.
Another like Lydia Ongele, mother of three, says she accompanied her children to school every day, taking the time to help them cross the dangerous trenches.
“If I’m not around and they have to go home alone, I make sure they use alternative routes,” Ongele said.
Parents now want concerned individuals to take appropriate measures to correct the situation.
