Leaders demand answers over factories discharging bad smell in Nairobi South

Nairobi County headquarters (PHOTO: FILE)

NAIROBI, KENYA: The National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) has two weeks to investigate factories allegedly emitting poisonous gases in Nairobi South area.

This comes just a day after South B and South C residents complained of a strong pungent smell, which started coming out on March 5, and one linked to breathing problems and complications in the area.

Nairobi County Assembly majority whip and South B MCA, Waithera Chege on Tuesday directed NEMA to investigate the source of the poisonous gas and give a detailed report within 14 days.

She wants details on the source of the emissions, location of the companies, owners of the companies, and action that NEMA is taking to remedy the situation. Failure to this, she said, she will lobby to have the agency disbanded.

The ward rep admitted having also been affected by the bad smell on Saturday last week. She told The Standard that she was driving along Mombasa road on Saturday when she started choking from the foul smell.

 “I am tabling a statement at the city assembly so that NEMA can give us answers on the issue. We cannot allow companies to continue operating and making profits while putting numerous lives at stake. The emissions are a health hazard that must be dealt with,” she stated.

Adding, “It is alarming that the NEMA offices are located along Mombasa road but they have not taken any action to date. They should move hastily to avert the impending danger on the lives of Kenyans,” she added.

On Monday, residents of the Nairobi South raised concerns over poisonous emissions by factories that they say have led to health complications.

The residents of the estates located along Mombasa road alleged that companies around the area had been emitting toxic waste especially during the night and this had caused respiratory problems especially in children, who were now exhibiting symptoms such as nose bleeding, vomiting, and sore eyes.