A walk into Turi Market in Turi Ward,Molo Sub-county you will notice unusual environment from a market environment.
Normally, a market is busy place, but this is not so for Turi Market.
Here you meet only two or three women trying to sell their goods.
An interaction with them reveals that the pathetic state of public toilet within the market is what led to traders to desert the market especially after customers could not tolerate the health hazard that was staring at them from the unmanaged public toilet.
The toilet situated on the lower part of the market was constructed by NG-CDF during the reign of former Molo MP Jacob Macharia.
It was meant to serve both the traders and customers as well as people around the market.
However, the poor state of the toilet has rendered it unusable to the public.
A closer view reveals that the two-doored toilet is full and what welcomes you is the flies trying to get their portion of the human faeces that can be seen even from outside the toilet.
It clearly indicates that the toilet is no longer in use by any sane person.
Just next to the toilet is a corner that has been converted into a dumpsite, again attracting the flies.
In an interview a few women who still operate within the market narrate that the toilet was constructed on the lower side of the market and whenever it rains, then all the flood waters make way to the toilet filling it with spillage allover.
Luciah Moraa- a trader says the toilet that was to be a relief to many, is now a menace and a health hazard.
“As business people we have suffered alot.No customer can come to this market. The few of us who operate here are forced to look for somewhere else to relieve ourselves,” said Moraa.
Sentiments echoed by Jane Wanjiku who says her food vending business has seen loses due to the menace of the toilet.
A similar script from Mike Kiragu alias Wabebe.
He noted that customers who used to frequent the hotel he works for have shifted to other places of Turi Centre.
“Wale wanahusika wakuje watuundie hii choo ili Biashara iendelee(Let those concerned visit and renovate this toilet so that business can continue),” he stated.
But speaking during a community dialogue convened by Dandelion Africa, Jane Gitonga- the Molo Sub-county Health Team lead noted that the matter of the toilet shall be looked into.
Sentiments echoed by area MCA John Mwangi.
He noted that the issue of the public toilet had been raised and that through partnership it shall be addressed.
The MCA added that plans are also on to have a litter bin stationed within Turi Centre for easy garbage collection.
Author: Pristone Mambili
A trained Journalist with passion for Radio and online Writing.