Water samples for physico-chemical, heavy metals and bacteriological analyses were collected from 4 selected points along Mitheu Stream flowing through Machakos Municipality once every month from June 2019 to September 2019. The samples were analyzed in Kenya Plant and Health Inspectorate Service and Water Resources Authority laboratories then data subjected to one-way analysis of variance to test significant differences (P≤0.05). The results were compared with World Health Organization guidelines to assess the suitability of the water for irrigation use. Results showed that the levels of the Biological Oxygen Demand and the Chemical Oxygen Demand in Mitheu Stream were higher than critical values permitted by the World Health Organization for irrigation water. Nitrates and Sulphates were within critical limits; however, Phosphates were higher than permissible limits at all the sampling points. Heavy metals concentrations for Cu, Pb, Zn and Cr were within allowable limits for irrigation water, but Cd was above the limit. Both total coliforms and Escherichia coli counts exceeded allowable limits for irrigation water. As such, Mitheu Stream can be considered polluted and the water unfit for irrigation farming. The Municipal authorities, working with other relevant stakeholders should take appropriate measures to mitigate stream pollution from untreated effluent discharged into the stream.

Heavy metal contamination of vegetables is a key aspect of food quality assurance since vegetables form a substantial proportion of the daily human diet. Health risks in urban populations due to exposure to heavy metals are on the increase because of the consumption of vegetables irrigated with wastewater. This study analyzed the concentration of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and Cr in spinach and kales grown using contaminated water of the Mitheu urban stream and those sold within Machakos municipality. Vegetable samples were collected once per month for a period of four months starting from June to September 2019. The mean heavy metal concentrations obtained were0.013 – 3.19 mg/kg, 0.468 – 1.706 mg/kg, 0.02 – 0.368 mg/kg, 5.78 – 26.7 mg/kg, and 0.104 – 14.0 mg/kg for Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and Cr respectively in kale samples from the different sampling sites. The heavy metal mean concentrations in spinach were 0.055 – 0.575 mg/kg, 3.79 – 5.55 mg/kg, 0.098 – 1.49 mg/kg, 8.32 – 20.7 mg/kg and 0.368 – 4.43 mg/kg for Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and Cr respectively. The mean concentrations of Cd, Pb, Zn and Cr in both spinach and kales in some of the sampling sites were above WHO permissible levels for heavy metals in vegetables for human consumption. However, the mean concentration of Cu was below WHO recommended levels. Consumption of these vegetables therefore poses a health risk to the consumers. There is need to create public awareness on the dangers of consuming contaminated vegetables. Additionally, measures to curb heavy metal pollution in Mitheu stream should be taken by the County Government of Machakos.