By Hyline Ocharo
Growing pollution in the Nyakomisaro River in Kisii town is raising alarm among residents and environmental observers, amid fears the contamination could pose serious public health risks.
The concern is particularly acute for traders and consumers at the busy Daraja Mbili Market, where some vendors are reported to use the river water to wash fruits and vegetables before selling them to the public.
For decades, the Nyakomisaro River has flowed through Kisii town as an important natural feature supporting nearby communities.
However, rapid urbanization, poor waste management and unchecked human activity are increasingly turning the river into a polluted waterway.
Large sections of the river now receive untreated sewage and household waste discharged from surrounding neighborhoods and business premises.
Plastic waste, food remnants and other garbage are frequently dumped along the riverbanks, worsening the contamination.
Environmental observers say the situation has deteriorated in recent years as Kisii town continues to expand without corresponding improvements in drainage and sanitation infrastructure.
The pollution has become particularly worrying because the river flows downstream to Daraja Mbili Market—one of the largest open-air markets in the region.
Some traders reportedly use the river water to wash fruits, vegetables and other food products before selling them to customers.
Public health experts warn that using contaminated water to clean food could expose consumers to dangerous bacteria and waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery.
The Nyakomisaro River is also part of the wider river system that eventually feeds into the Gucha-Migori basin, making its pollution an environmental concern beyond Kisii town.
Environmental groups have previously called for urgent intervention, including the rehabilitation of the riverbanks, enforcement of waste disposal regulations, and investment in proper sewer systems to prevent raw sewage from entering the river.
Local authorities, residents and businesses are now being urged to take collective responsibility by improving waste management practices, stopping illegal sewer connections and supporting clean-up initiatives aimed at restoring the river.