As the country observes Mazingira Day, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has released an optimistic report on the progress being made to tackle river pollution.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 10, 2024, NEMA revealed that it had identified 145 companies responsible for polluting the country’s water bodies. According to the authority, these companies have hindered the country’s efforts to protect the environment and combat climate change. The rivers are often contaminated with plastics, detergents, disinfectants, chemical residue, and petroleum byproducts, which pose significant risks to people who rely on the rivers for domestic use. Additionally, these pollutants seep into the soil, contaminating aquifers.
To tackle the issue, NEMA has given each of the 145 companies a deadline to remove their waste from the rivers. “The Authority has already mapped out 145 companies polluting the rivers who have been directed to clean their waste products from the river,” NEMA stated.
In the same breath, Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale called on NEMA to enforce its mandate by taking strict actions to curb pollution in Nairobi. He lamented that many industries continue to discharge raw sewage into the rivers without facing consequences. “The CS cautioned industries polluting Nairobi rivers while directing NEMA to deal with companies discharging raw sewage into the rivers,” NEMA added.
CS Duale also instructed NEMA officials to investigate where waste collected by various companies in Nairobi is being dumped and whether these companies are following the proper procedures. He further announced plans to introduce a color-coding mechanism for waste, requiring households to separate recyclable and non-recyclable waste.
Duale made these remarks while leading the cleanup of the Arboretum segment of the Nairobi River in observance of this year’s Mazingira Day. During the cleanup, he emphasized the government’s commitment to restoring the Nairobi River within the next 18 months. “What you see behind me is not a river. In 18 months, we want to see a clean Nairobi. We have put on notice companies, slaughterhouses, Nairobi sewerage companies,” he declared.
PICTORIAL: Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale leads Kenyans in cleaning the Arboretum segment of Nairobi River to mark this year's Mazingira Day; accompanied by Principal Secretaries Gitonga Mugambi (Forestry) and Aurelia Rono (Parliamentary Affairs). pic.twitter.com/TyOIaumcoN
— Ministry of Environment, Climate Change & Forestry (@Environment_Ke) October 10, 2024
