Nairobi — About 100 Italian pensioners resident at the Casuarina area of Malindi Town on Friday protested against what they termed foul smell and pollution from a nearby garbage dumpsite.

Several of them had developed breathing problems after inhaling smoke from the burning rubbish, they told the Saturday Nation.

They said smoke pollution from burning plastics and other synthetic materials was harmful to their health.

The villa owners said their doctors back home had recommended that they retire to Malindi, which has a better climate and less pollution, but expressed regret that they were facing the same problems as in Italy.

"The local council has failed to manage the dumpsite," said Mr Vincenzo la Camera. "There is a heavy stench and smoke emanating from there as street children continually set the garbage on fire."

He urged the municipal council to move the dumpsite away from Mayungu Road, arguing that it is a fast developing residential area.