CS Tobiko takes over probe on toxic gas emissions in Nairobi South

Environment CS Keriako Tobiko (PHOTO: FILE)

NAIROBI, KENYA: The National Government has now ordered a probe into the toxic emissions by companies in Nairobi south following complains by city residents.

This comes two weeks after Nairobi residents from South B and South C complained of a strong pungent smell since March 5 and one they blame for the hospitalisation of at least four children.

Environment CS Keriako Tobiko on Tuesday ordered for the commencement of investigations into the issue and directed the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) and the National Environmental Complaints Committee to send a team on the ground to assess the situation.

Speaking to The Standard, National Environmental Complaints Committee chairman, Dr. John Chumo confirmed that he had dispatched a team on the ground that would prepare a preliminary report and present it to the CS.

“We are currently meeting with the affected families and we will then proceed to visit the factories where the gases are suspected to be coming from. This will help us to compile a report,” said Chumo.

The chair added that the relevant agencies would be conducting an analysis of the quality of gases emitted by the factories identified and if found culpable the owners would be arrested.

Mr. Chumo said that his committee was relying on air quality machine owned by NEMA and one that has been on the ground for the last three days to conduct the tests.

“We are not sure of how long the investigation will last. The officials need to find out the equipment being used so that they can prepare a report,” he added.

Residents in Nairobi South raised concerns over emissions by factories that they feared would lead to health complications.

The residents of estates located along Mombasa Road said the noxious gases, which were often emitted at night, were causing respiratory problems especially in children, who were now exhibiting symptoms such as nose bleeds, vomiting, and sore eyes.

County Assembly Majority Whip Waithera Chege, who is also the South B MCA has now threatened to sue the national government if the issue is not hastily resolved.

She was concerned that the pungent smell was recurrent especially at night which is a risk especially now that schools are closed.

Last week, she said, another child was hospitalised with breathing complications after inhaling the toxic gas.