By Caroline Katana
Residents of Kiteje village in Matuga Sub-County, Kwale County, may soon find relief after county public health officials ordered a poultry farm at the center of a long-running dispute to address persistent foul odors and a growing fly infestation within 28 days.
The directive follows months of complaints from villagers who say poultry waste from the farm has affected their health, disrupted businesses, and made life increasingly unbearable.
Authorities have now issued a statutory notice requiring the farm’s management to implement corrective measures or face legal action.
According to Vincent Mosomi, the Public Health Officer in charge of Matuga, the county intervened after receiving a formal petition from residents.
“We received complaints from the community regarding the foul smell and the large number of flies originating from the poultry project ,and after conducting an inspection and engaging both the residents and the farm management, we issued a statutory notice requiring the investor to address the problem within 28 days,” said Mosomi.
He warned that the situation poses a significant public health risk.
“Flies are known carriers of diseases such as cholera and other gastrointestinal infections. Proper management of poultry waste is therefore not only an environmental issue but also a public health requirement,” he added.
Mosomi disclosed that the project houses approximately 9,000 laying hens and that the challenge mainly arises during the handling and storage of poultry manure.
As part of the corrective measures, the health department has advised the investor to adopt modern waste-management practices, including exploring the conversion of poultry waste into biogas.
“We have recommended consultation with experts on sustainable waste management solutions, including biogas production, while ensuring immediate measures are put in place to control odor and flies,” he said.
For residents, the intervention offers hope after nearly two years of frustration.
Mwaiga Hamisi Mafutu, a resident of Kiteje, said families have endured unpleasant conditions for far too long.
“The smell has been affecting us for close to two years. Children, elderly people and business owners are suffering. We cannot even sit comfortably outside our homes because of the odor and the flies,” He said.
Mafutu noted that several attempts had been made to seek assistance before the matter finally attracted the attention of health authorities.
Another resident, Sophia Hamisi Mafutu, described the impact on families and small businesses.
“The flies enter our food and drinks, and children are frequently falling sick. Even pregnant women and elderly people are affected. I used to sell fried potatoes, but customers stopped buying because of the smell around the area,” she said.
Sophia said she once suffered severe stomach discomfort and diarrhea, which she believes was linked to the unsanitary conditions created by the infestation.
For Binti Hamisi Athman, the issue goes beyond inconvenience.
“Health should come first. Our children are getting sick, and people cannot enjoy meals in such an environment. We are not asking for the farm to be closed; we only want a solution that protects both the business and the community,” she said.
The odor has also taken an economic toll on residents.
A youth Said Mwachi said local businesses have suffered as customers increasingly avoid the area.
“People who sell food are struggling because flies contaminate their products. Visitors no longer want to spend time here, and even rental houses remain vacant because nobody wants to live where there is a constant bad smell,” he said.
Local businessman Mohammed Ali said he has been forced to spend additional money controlling flies to keep customers coming to his premises.
“I regularly buy fly traps and insect-control products. Some traps collect hundreds of flies, yet the problem keeps recurring. We appreciate that the authorities have intervened, but we are hoping for a permanent solution,” he said.
While residents have voiced strong concerns, the poultry farm management says it has already begun implementing measures aimed at resolving the problem.
Abdulhalim Bangushi who oversees the poultry project acknowledged receiving complaints from the community and confirmed that the company is working with experts to improve manure management.
“We take the concerns raised by residents seriously. We have already started treating the manure using sawdust and applying recommended products to reduce odor whenever manure is removed from the poultry houses,” he said.
Bangushi added that the farm had also sought professional guidance on manure management and was committed to complying with the recommendations issued by county health officials.
“We are cooperating fully with the authorities and will continue improving our systems to ensure we operate responsibly while maintaining good relations with the surrounding community,” he said.
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