The Ministry of Environment has warned that it will close 145 factories and slaughterhouses over dumping solid waste into the Nairobi River.
This comes as Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Aden Duale, announced the recruitment of 10,000 youth to clean up the polluted Nairobi River.
Duale told the National Assembly’s Defence, Intelligence and External Relations Committee that companies found to be dumping liquid waste into the Nairobi River would have their licenses revoked and shut down.
He said the biggest threat to the Nairobi River is companies dumping sewage and other solid waste.
Mr Duale said most of the sewer lines operated by the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) and the Athi River and Sewerage Company terminate in the Nairobi River.
“We have now agreed with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) that the 145 factories and slaughterhouses we identified for releasing liquid waste into the Nairobi River should be closed,” he said.
“The 145 factories and slaughterhouses have a choice: either abide by Grace’s laws on dumping solid and solid waste or close shop.”
Addressing the committee chaired by Belgot MP Nelson Kweche, Mr Duale said he had directed the Director General of Nyima Mamu Buru Mamu to ensure full compliance by companies on solid waste management in Nairobi and other major cities.
“Nema will form or ship out as long as I CS for Environment. The President and I have been given the blessing of the political will needed to deal with environment issues that has been missing. Mr Mamo now has our full support,” Mr Duale said.
“I ask you, as representatives, not to contact me when we decide to deal with environmental polluters. “I will go after them and will not let any member of parliament call me for help when I deal with polluters.”
Mr Duale said he had ordered the transfer of the Nima district director in Nairobi over his exposure and corruption while dealing with environmental crimes.
“I ordered her transfer and she left. She had been transferred five times before but found her way back because of her political connections,” Duale said.
He said 10,000 youth started working on Monday to clean the Nairobi River, and all businesses adjacent to the river will have to abide by NEMA laws on solid and abundant waste management.
“In 10 days, you will see me and President William Ruto putting on rubber boots and joining the youth to clean up the Nairobi River,” Duale said.
We are determined to enforce environmental laws. From Museum Hill to Grogon District, the waters of the Nairobi River are blue. You will be surprised that those who pollute the river are large companies. Informal settlements contribute less than one percent.
He said the middle class, who live along the Nairobi River, dispose of more garbage there than those living in slums, who have little food to eat.
“The man who lives in the slum has nothing to eat, and they remove what little food is available. The middle class has a lot of food to eat, which generates a lot of waste.”
The CS said he found 15 regulations lying on the shelves even though they were drafted during the tenure of former Cabinet Minister Kyriako Tobiko.
“I have already submitted regulations aimed at giving full effect to the Environment Management Coordination Act 2016 to the Attorney General who has approved five of them and I intend to publish and submit them to Parliament next week,” Mr Duale said.
Mr Mamo said NEMA as a regulator will ensure that laws are followed to ensure Kenyans enjoy a clean and safe environment.
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