Nairobi South B residents complain of suspicious smelly gas noticed in the past 2 weeks

Nairobi South residents have lodged complaints over a toxic gas that has been terrorizing them over the past two weeks.

A resident, Ms Jane Ndambuki, narrated that the smell is similar to that of burning tyres or teargas and it irritates the nose when inhaled.

"We just want to know what it (the gas) is, and which factory is emitting it.

A dumpsite next to a factory in Nairobi Pulse Live Kenya

"On Saturday, the emissions started from 4 p.m. and intensified in the night, we woke up choking," she narrated.

Another resident, Njeri Wang'ombe, told Nation that her one-year old coughed and vomited after inhaling the gas at 3 a.m.

"At first I thought she had developed asthma, but when I later inhaled the gas and started coughing," she stated.

NEMA asked to intervene

South B Ward Representative Waithera Chege forwarded the complaint to the Nairobi County Assembly on Tuesday calling on the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to act.

"We will not allow companies to make money at the expense of citizens’ health. This is a public health issue that can lead to respiratory complications.

Nairobi County Assembly Majority Whip and South B Ward Representative Waithera Chege Pulse Live Kenya

"It is within their (Nema’s) mandate to deal with this issue but they have done nothing. I want them move with speed to save many lives that are now at stake. I will bring the issue before the Assembly today (Tuesday)," the MCA stated.