A government report has confirmed severe contamination of the Athi River, with heavy metals rendering the water unsafe for direct consumption. The Ministry of Water and Sanitation's findings have prompted urgent action from multiple agencies against industrial polluters.
Machakos County government issued a formal notice to London Distillers Limited on September 17, demanding immediate compliance with water quality regulations. The letter warned that failure to address sewage discharge within 30 days would result in the permanent closure of the company's sewer inlet. A similar ultimatum came from the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) on September 20, which revoked the company's permit to discharge effluent into its sewer system.
EPZA's acting CEO George Makateto stated the authority would not tolerate practices endangering public health, emphasizing that new discharge applications would only be considered after meeting international effluent treatment standards. Mavoko Water and Sewerage Company also cited non-compliance with 2016 government regulations, warning that continued violations would bar the distillery from using public sewers.
Despite these demands, London Distillers has denied responsibility, attributing the pollution to Erdemann Properties. The company faces mounting pressure following a 2018 National Assembly environmental committee report urging investments in advanced waste management technologies and strict adherence to National Environment Management Authority (Nema) guidelines.
The Ministry of Water and Sanitation has recommended a coordinated approach to address pollution, including public education on waste management, industrial innovation, and enforcement of environmental protections. A September 2019 cabinet sub-committee meeting approved the creation of an inter-agency technical committee to oversee river conservation efforts.
