The next time you dig into that bowl of vegetables you might want to think about the source.
As Citizen TV found out, there is a possibility that most of the vegetables consumed within Nairobi could be produced from raw sewage.
While some people think that sewage water is not harmful, other scientists point to the possibility that these vegetables could be contaminated with heavy metals such as lead from industrial effluent… and that could have long term health effects if consumed over a long period of time. Sheila Sendeyo has the details.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO- Dangers of Sewer Vegetables
Nairobi residents are increasingly consuming vegetables irrigated with raw sewage, a practice that poses significant health risks.
In areas like Njiru, farmers use untreated sewage to water crops such as sukuma wiki (kale), spinach, and tomatoes. These vegetables are sold in local markets and consumed by many Nairobians, often without awareness of the contamination.
The pollution originates upstream, where informal settlements discharge waste directly into the Nairobi River.
Residents in areas like Korogocho, unable to afford proper sanitation facilities, resort to defecating in bags and disposing of them in the river. This untreated waste flows downstream, contaminating water sources used for irrigation.
The use of polluted water for irrigation leads to the bioaccumulation of harmful substances in crops.
Studies have found elevated levels of heavy metals such as cadmium, chromium, and lead in vegetables grown with wastewater. Consumption of these contaminated vegetables can result in serious health issues, including gastrointestinal diseases and neurological impairments, particularly in children.
Efforts to address this issue include government initiatives to close factories discharging waste into the river and community-based organizations promoting sanitation and waste recycling.
However, comprehensive measures are needed to restore the river’s health and ensure safe food and water for Nairobi’s residents.
