This archive report was first published on 27 August 2019.
On August 27, 2019, the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) shut down the Daima milk plant in Nairobi's Industrial Area indefinitely for failing to comply with waste disposal regulations.
The production manager at the plant, Mr. Kenneth Kareithii, was arrested during the Tuesday morning raid by police and Nema inspectors.
Nema accused the factory of discharging effluent into the Nairobi River, a major concern highlighted in a two-month investigative project dubbed #ToxicFlow.
According to Nema's acting director general, Mamo B. Mamo, the authority has identified 102 discharge points along the Nairobi River, with 50% of firms inspected complying with the Water Quality Regulation 2006.
"Nema has identified 102 discharge points along Nairobi River. Out of inspections conducted, 50 percent of firms have complied. Ongoing inspections is to ensure remaining have complied as per Water Quality Regulation 2006 or be shut down and (officials) prosecuted," Mr. Mamo said.
Additionally, Nema officials raided Synresins chemical factory, arresting its CEO Mira Shah, production manager Michael Mungai, and human resource boss Yvonne Nyokabi, and closed down the factory for discharging hazardous waste into the sewer and environment.
