Duale issues first directive as Environment CS, targets Nairobi River polluters

Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Tuesday issued his first directive in his new docket, putting companies polluting the Nairobi River on notice.

Duale emphasised that the restoration order for the ailing river must be upheld, warning that immediate action would be taken against the polluters.

"NEMA restoration orders must be obeyed by the regulated community," he said.

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) is a government agency responsible for the management of the environment, and environmental policy.

CS Duale further stated that the authority had been directed to immediately start enforcement actions on all polluting facilities along the Nairobi Rivers Basin ecosystem.

On Tuesday evening, Nema Director General Mamo B Mamo visited a site in City Park where the public raised the alarm about raw sewage being released into the Nairobi Rivers.

As a result, DG Mamo directed the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company to immediately fix the manhole discharging the effluent.

The company was also given 24 hours to fix broken sewer lines in various parts of the city.

"The Director General has given Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company 24 hours to fix the broken sewer lines along City Park, at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), along Kirichwa Kubwa and the discharging manhole in Kangemi," Nema directed.

On receiving complaints from the public on raw sewage getting into the Nairobi Rivers at City Park, @NemaKenya team led by the Director General, Mamo B Mamo, EBS visited the site and directed the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage company to immediately fix the man hole that was… pic.twitter.com/npuNp9ZHD9

— NEMA Kenya (@NemaKenya) August 13, 2024

Prosecution

DG Mamo said that action will be taken against any polluter, including prosecution for non-compliance.

Consequently, CS Duale directed NEMA to map out all effluent discharge points along the Nairobi Rivers ecosystem and to take appropriate enforcement action immediately.

Duale who officially took charge as CS for Environment on Monday, pledged to revive the ambitious dream that his predecessor John Michuki had, with a focus on preserving rivers, forests and greening the country.

Duale said he was well-versed with the laws governing the environment and would implement them fully.

Under his leadership, the CS said, Nairobi rivers, which are reeling from pollution and encroachment by farmers and private developers, would be among his first priorities.

He said Nairobi hosts the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and would work closely with Governor Johnson Sakaja to restore the capital's lost green dream.

The CS also fired a warning shot at grabbers of forests and riparian lands, saying their days were numbered.

"We'll act within the law, and laws are made for citizens. You cannot build on riparian land. You cannot farm on riparian land," Duale noted.

"We can't have our cake and eat it. If we've to clean up Nairobi River, then we must remove the illegal dumpsites across the rivers," he added.