Bedbugs, cockroaches invade Nairobi city

Matatus drivers entering Nairobi city centre could soon be required to produce certificates proving that their vehicles have been fumigated. This is in an attempt to eradicate the bedbugs in the city. According to Nairobi County Assembly Health Committee Chairman Maurice Ochieng, despite complaints from travellers over bedbug infestation, most matatu saccos do not fumigate their vehicles. "There is a lot of outcry from the public that the bedbugs are becoming a nuisance in matatus. We urge public service vehicles that operate within the city to fumigate their vehicles," said Ochieng. "We need to make sure that the hygiene standard of health in the city is maintained and after that, we are moving to schools for the same purpose," he added.Mountain View Ward MCA urged the county government to take action against matatu saccos that will not comply.

According to Ochieng, similar complaints are emanating from eateries."We are giving a notice to hotel owners to fumigate their hotels; not only to do away with rodents but cockroaches as well," he stated."The CEC for health should move with speed to ensure that matatu owners and hotel operators have certificates once they carry out fumigation so as to make enforcement work easier," stated Ochieng. [Pkemoi Ng'enoh]