Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) has issued a public notice asking residents of the city to refrain from pooping in the morning hours, citing severe congestion in the sewer lines. The notice, which was posted on the company’s website and social media platforms, said that the high demand for flushing toilets between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. was causing pressure and blockages in the pipes, leading to frequent bursts and spills.
“We kindly request our esteemed customers to avoid using their toilets for solid waste disposal during the peak hours of the morning, as this is causing a lot of strain on our sewer system. We suggest that you either poop at night before going to bed or hold it until after 9 a.m. when the traffic eases. This will help us to maintain the smooth flow of sewage and prevent environmental and health hazards.” the notice read.
The notice also advised residents to use less water when flushing their toilets and to avoid throwing foreign objects such as sanitary pads, diapers, condoms, and plastic bags into the sewer. It said that these items were clogging the pipes and reducing their capacity.
The notice sparked outrage and ridicule among many Nairobians, who accused the company of incompetence and negligence. Some said that the notice was an insult to their dignity and human rights, while others said that it was impractical and unrealistic.
Tax Morning Poop?
“How can they expect us to control our bowel movements? Do they think we are robots? This is absurd and unacceptable. They should fix their pipes instead of telling us when to poop.” said Mary Wanjiku, a resident of Kibera.
“This is a joke, right? How can they ask us to poop at night when there is no water or electricity? And how can they ask us to hold it until after 9 a.m. when we have to go to work or school? This is ridiculous and unfair. They should provide us with better services instead of making excuses.” said John Omondi, a resident of Mathare.
Some residents also expressed skepticism about the company’s claim that the sewer congestion was caused by high demand in the morning hours. They said that the company was trying to cover up its failure to expand and upgrade its infrastructure to meet the growing population and urbanization of the city.
Perpetual Poop
“This is a lie. The sewer system is always congested, regardless of the time of day. The problem is not us, but them. They have not invested enough in improving their network and facilities. They have not connected many areas to the sewer system. They have not maintained and repaired their pipes. They have not cleaned and cleared their drains. They have not enforced their regulations and standards. They have not done their job.” said Peter Mwangi, a resident of Dagoretti.
The NWSC has not responded to the criticism or clarified its notice as of yet. However, sources within the company have revealed that the notice was part of a desperate attempt to cope with the increasing challenges facing the sewer system, which include aging infrastructure, inadequate funding, vandalism, theft, corruption, illegal connections, poor planning, and climate change.
The sources also said that the company was considering other measures to deal with the sewer crisis, such as imposing fines on heavy poopers, installing meters on toilets, rationing water supply, and introducing poop vouchers.
