Nairobi County Chief Officer for Environment, Geoffrey Mosiria, has exposed a shocking syndicate in Mukuru Kwa Ruben slum, where women were caught washing used plastic bags in raw sewage for resale.
In photos and videos shared by Mosiria, the women can be seen collecting tens of carrier bags that had ended up in the murky waters flowing through the informal settlement. The women then proceeded to clean the same bags in the sewage before spreading them along the banks to dry. According to the county official, the women admitted the bags were intended for resale in local markets across Nairobi.
“It is deeply disturbing that some women have resorted to washing used carrier bags in sewage water for resale,” Mosiria said. “This unhygienic practice poses a serious health risk to both the women and the wider public.”
The contaminated bags, Mosiria explained, often reach major markets including Muthurwa, Gikomba, Toi, Marikiti, Wakulima, and Burma, as well as various retail outlets. Unsuspecting consumers who use these bags for food packaging are at risk of exposure to dangerous pathogens. Sewage water is typically loaded with harmful bacteria and toxins, which can survive on the bags even after washing. This makes items packaged in the bags potential carriers of diseases such as typhoid and cholera.
Most of the women involved, Mosiria noted, come from vulnerable backgrounds and need empowerment and access to cleaner employment opportunities.
The county official assured that while the illegal operations were halted, anyone found engaging in similar activities that endanger public health will face legal action. “We will not allow anyone to compromise the health and safety of Nairobi residents,” Mosiria warned. “Individuals handling or distributing contaminated packaging materials will be held accountable under the law.”
This incident highlights the urgent need for stricter oversight in informal settlements and the importance of public awareness regarding the health risks of reused contaminated materials.
