Three men have died after an attempt to unblock a sewer line in the Riruta Satellite area in Dagoretti, Nairobi, sparking renewed concerns over the risks posed by sewage trenches and open manholes.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

According to reports, one of the victims, referred to as Gideon, was trapped after entering a sewer on Kabiria Road to clear a blockage that had affected toilets in the neighbourhood.

Another man, identified as Moses Kithure, a construction worker from Tharaka Nithi County, reportedly entered the sewer to offer assistance but also became stuck.

The third unidentified man later joined the rescue effort but also failed to emerge, with residents saying none of the men had secured themselves with safety ropes before entering the sewer.

📌 What You Need to Know

The exact cause of death remains unclear, with locals suspecting either rising water levels or toxic gases such as methane or carbon dioxide, though preliminary reports indicate the men may have suffocated after running out of oxygen due to air conditions inside the sewer.

The victims are now at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) mortuary awaiting autopsy as investigations continue.

Residents said they became concerned after Gideon failed to report to work and learned that he had died after they went to the area chief to inquire about his whereabouts.

Derrick Kinyua Wambugi, who was Kithure’s cousin, said he received a call at around 10am informing him of the incident before heading to the mortuary to identify the body.

The deaths have reignited long-standing complaints over exposed and poorly secured manholes in the area, with residents warning that children and pedestrians face constant danger, particularly at night when visibility is low.

“There are many children playing and running along this road. Their lives are at risk. People passing through at night, especially when there are no street lights, may not see the open manholes until it's too late,” Wambugi said.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke