Lead victims from Owino Uhuru slum still seeking justice
In another case of environmental poisoning, residents of Owino Uhuru slum in Jomvu, Mombasa, are in court seeking compensation following lead poisoning. The 3,000 residents either worked or bordered the now- defunct smelting plant, Metal Refinery EPZ Ltd...The case, filed in 2015, has dragged on in court. On July 24 and 25 this year, five witnesses took to the stand. They were Wilfred Kamenchu, Jackson Wanyama, Steven Okello and Hamisi Diyo. Expert witness Wandera Bideru also testified...Kamenchu told the court he stayed at the polluted slum for more than 16 years. He cited chest pains, itchiness, skin rashes, anaemia, low intellectual weakening of bones and impotence as some of the effects the lead brought to the community. Okello told the court he lost his son, Samuel Omondi, to lead poisoning...Wanyama worked in the plant as a casual labourer. His wife and son died of lead poisoning...