Kisumu: The Kisumu county government has mandated weekly cleanup exercises at Ahero and Awasi markets, threatening non-compliant traders with fines, stall closures, and potential prosecution under public health and environmental bylaws. This directive, effective immediately, mandates traders to clean their stalls and surrounding areas every Wednesday to mitigate the risk of cholera, typhoid, and other sanitation-related diseases prevalent in lakeside counties.

According to Kenya News Agency, the County Executive for Environment, Judith Oluoch, announced the order following inspections that revealed ongoing issues with waste accumulation, blocked drainage, open dumping, and poor food-handling practices at these bustling markets. Oluoch emphasized that these issues are not isolated incidents but a recurring pattern that the county has previously warned against. Moving forward, enforcement officers will issue penalties, close non-compliant stalls, and pursue legal action if necessary.

Kisumu County is particularly susceptible to outbreaks of water- and food-borne diseases due to its proximity to Lake Victoria, high population movement, and open-air markets that sell ready-to-eat food. In the past, the county has reported cases of cholera and typhoid linked to poor sanitation, with public health officers attributing outbreaks to contaminated water, improper waste disposal, and unsanitary market conditions.

This initiative is part of Kisumu County’s broader effort to improve sanitation in public spaces and prevent disease outbreaks in high-traffic markets serving thousands of residents daily. Ahero-Awasi Municipal Manager Lazarus Orengo remarked that the county could no longer depend on voluntary compliance, as previous notices had led to little improvement.

Orengo stressed that hygiene is a legal requirement, not a suggestion. Traders who disregard the Wednesday cleanup mandate risk immediate closure of their stalls, fines, and further action under municipal bylaws. To support compliance, the county government has distributed waste collection bins throughout the markets and deployed additional sanitation teams to ensure regular garbage collection. Enforcement officers will oversee the cleanup exercises and conduct spot checks during trading days.