Five companies closed down, six arrested for polluting environment
Six people have been arrested in Nairobi by the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) for running premises illegally discharging raw sewage into the environment.
The agency also closed down the five companies run by the individuals during an ongoing inspection of illegal discharge of raw sewage by factories operating in Industrial Area, Nairobi County.
Nema communications manager Evans Nyabuto said that the companies served with closure orders include Africa Apparel limited, Mas Tannery, Far Horizon Hides and Skins, Amin Tanners and Nairobi Tanners Limited.
RAW WASTE
“We have has arrested six individuals from premises discharging untreated raw waste water in Industrial Area and their companies served with a closure notice to stop further operations. The companies include a textile making firm and four tanneries,” said Mr Nyabuto on Thursday.
Those arrested and set to be charged include Mr Siraj Sharrif, the supervisor of Mas Tanners; Mr Bernard Nyamae, Nairobi Tanners supervisor and Mr James Kamorho, the supervisor of Far Horizon hides and skins.
They are being held at Lang’ata Police Station and will be arraigned at Kibera Court on Friday.
POLLUTION
“After our inspectors investigated, the three above were found to be culpable and will be charged in court,” he said.
He said that the ongoing exercise by Nema is meant to weed out companies polluting rivers in Nairobi County and is set to continue where more arrests will be effected.
“We are carrying out an inspection in order to rein on the firms discharging untreated waste water into sewer lines or environment that mainly end into the rivers,” he said.
At the same time, Mr Nyabuto explained that Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company has been given restoration orders to repair several damaged manholes across the county.