Oil spill is killing us, Taita-Taveta residents tell Governor Mruttu

Taita-Taveta Governor John Mruttu looks at a withered banana plantation at Miasenyi village where a pipeline burst spilling oil. [PHOTO:RENSON MNYAMWEZI/STANDARD]

Taita-Taveta County residents living in villages where an oil spill happened last month want compensation to treat respiratory diseases. Residents from Miasenyi and Majengo Mapya villages, told their Governor John Mruttu that since the spill happened last month there has been an upsurge of respiratory diseases.

On December 17 last year, the main pipeline that snakes into several villages, burst spilling volumes of oil around. The pipeline is owned by the Kenya Pipeline Company. According to locals, more than 150 villagers were affected. Narrating their ordeal during Mr Mruttu's fact finding mission in the affected areas, the residents demanded compensation.