Mombasa road residents link poor health to toxic emissions in area
News
By
Josphat Thiong'o
| May 13, 2020
Nairobi South area residents in Nairobi County have raised concerns over looming prevalent health complications following the re-emergence of toxic emissions by some companies in the area.
The residents on Tuesday complained that the persistent toxic emissions from companies in the area has led to residents experiencing respiratory problems, breathing complications, nose bleeding and itchy eyes as a result of the air pollution going on in the area.
They are now, through a petition, calling on the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) to intervene and remedy the situation.
Chairperson of Eagle Plains Estate residents association, Edgar Mwandawiro revealed that most of the estates located along Mombasa road have been affected by the choking emissions, which they suspect, are from manufacturing plants in the area.
Mwandawiro pointed out that the toxic emissions have led to a number of residents being hospitalized after developing varying health complications with children being the most affected.
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“There is even a nursery school inside the Estate and we are fearing for the children should learning resume next month,” said Edgar Mwandawiro.
The chairperson brought to the fore that a similar problem had occurred last year but it was not only until NEMA and the Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko intervened that the emission stopped.
CS Tobiko had in April 2019 ordered for the indefinite closure of three companies found to be behind the harmful emissions that also led to hospitalization of four children who suffered respiratory problems, persistent coughs, and vomiting. The companies shut were Powerex, Edible oils and Usafiplus all located along Mombasa Road following extensive investigations into the matter.
The problem, the chairman said, however came back in January 2020.
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