Local accuses Sisal factory of pollution

Residents of Raguda village in Central Karung Nyatike sub county are up in arms over alleged pollution of the environment  by a sisal processing factory.

At the weekend, several residents put the management of Al’ Naqel company to task to explain the measures they are putting in place to address the issue.

The meeting was chaired by area chief Isack  Bungu who tried in vain to calm the hungry locals who faulted the company for disposing effluents into streams without treatment.

According to the locals the chemicals used at the factory poses a serious health hazard. 

They also claimed waste disposal management from the company is very poor and this has resulted in incessant air and water pollution.

"The way these people are managing the wastes is very poor whenever it rains all the wastes form factory find their way into the lake," claimed William Beta. 

Churchil Oloo, another resident claimed although the company has boosted the economy of the region, its failure to address pollution is catastrophic.

“We know that since it was established back 2016 the community had gain but we are not happy with what is happening, we are calling on the Government to investigate over alleged gross violations of human rights and labor laws,” said Mr. Oloo

The company through their operations Manager Erick Migudi dismissed the allegations terming them as lies meant to taint the reputation of the company.

“All those are lies, since the factory was established in Nyatike Migori County seven years ago the farmers who had nowhere to take their farm produce had embraced it,” said Migudi.

The top management of the company however admitted some of the claims and promised to look into some of the issues the community complained about.

Meanwhile, three Kenyan startups have won an opportunity to have their businesses funded by notable investors, including government agencies, financial institutions and Israeli companies after a competitive virtual meeting where they presented their agribusiness ideas.

The winners were Sisal Production group from Homa Bay County which offered a solution for mass  local production of sisal ropes, Aquaponics System and Fish Farming which aims to recycle water used in fish farming for  cultivation of crops as well and the third winners were Rhoke Farms who aimed to fulfill Kenya’s food security agenda through organic farming of pumpkins.