This archive report was first published on 1 August 2019.
A Kisumu court has dealt a major blow to Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries Limited by ordering the closure of the company due to illegal acquisition of a National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) license.
According to a ruling by Lands and Environment Court Justice Stephen Kibunjia, the company has been given 120 days to carry out environmental impact assessment studies and submit a report to NEMA for approval and issuance of the license.
Failure to obtain the required licenses within the stipulated period will result in the demolition of the structures, the court ordered.
The move comes five months after NEMA shut down the factory's distillery and paper mill plants over alleged pollution.
Residents of Kibos have been raising concerns that the firm is denying them their right to a clean and healthy environment.
Justice Kibunjia granted the factory a seven-day stay for the order to take effect after the industry lawyers requested for a temporary stay.
