This archive report was first published on 13 July 2020.
On July 13, 2020, the Machakos County Government took decisive action against Endmor Steel Millers, a factory at the center of a controversy over its operations in Syokimau.
Following a Citizen TV exposé that highlighted the devastating health risks and a reported death caused by the factory's air pollution, the County Government revoked the license of Endmor Steel Millers.
Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua stated that the action was taken to protect the health of the residents, saying, "They will close down by this evening. There is a matter pending in court by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and has to be concluded. All we had to do was to stop them from operating. The company will only resume after it complies,"
The governor further lamented that the residents were facing a double threat from both the Coronavirus disease and pollution from the steel factory, which had been operating illegally despite court orders for its closure.
The factory will only be allowed to operate once it complies with the Occupational Health and Safety Standards, National Environment Management Authority Regulations, Machakos County Government Regulations, and Ministry of Health Regulations on the Covid-19 pandemic.
