“145 factories face closure over Nairobi River pollution”, October 02, 2024

A government crackdown looms over 145 companies as the Ministry of Environment threatens to revoke licenses and shut down factories and slaughterhouses polluting the Nairobi River. Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale made it clear during a session with the National Assembly’s Defense, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday: businesses caught discharging untreated waste into the river will have no option but to close shop. This follows the identification of factories and slaughterhouses dumping sewage and other solid waste into the river. Duale was firm, warning that these 145 businesses must adhere to the strict standards set by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) or face immediate closure. “We’ve reached a point where we cannot tolerate this blatant disregard for our environmental laws,” he stressed. "NEMA is working hand-in-hand with the ministry to ensure every identified polluter complies or shuts down."

…With hundreds of jobs at risk, the ultimatum could spark a major disruption in sectors heavily reliant on these firms. The initiative to restore the once-thriving river has gained fresh momentum under President William Ruto’s leadership. His administration is taking a hard line on environmental offenders as it seeks a permanent solution to the pollution problem that has plagued Nairobi for decades. The clean-up, which includes the hiring of 10,000 youth, marks a renewed commitment by the government to save Nairobi’s lifeblood. Over the years, unchecked dumping has turned the once-pristine river into a cesspool of industrial waste. Duale criticized Nairobi’s water and sewerage companies, accusing them of exacerbating the problem by allowing sewer lines to feed into the river. For too long, Duale argued, political interference shielded major polluters. But with the President’s backing, the Ministry of Environment now has the political will to confront even the most well-connected offenders…