This archive report was first published on 29 August 2019.
On August 29, 2019, the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) cracked down on facilities in Nairobi that were disposing of their waste without pre-treating it.
As a result, nine factories were shut down indefinitely, including Daima, a milk producer, and Synresins Ltd, a company that deals with industrial chemicals.
Speaking during the crackdown, Nema Acting Director-General Mamo B. Memo said, "We will continue with this exercise to ensure that our rivers are clean and that the facilities responsible for harmful discharge are shut down. The standards are very clear."
Among those arrested were Daima Operations Manager Kenneth Kareithi, Chloride Exide General Manager Karanja Njoroge, and Synresins Chief Executive Mira Shah.
The crackdown followed an expose by the Nation on the pollution of the Nairobi River, which was found to be loaded with harmful substances such as lead, copper, and mercury.
Nema has identified 122 discharge points along the Nairobi River, with 50% of the firms having complied with the Water Quality Regulation 2006.
Mr. Mamo said the crackdown will extend to waste discharge from households along the Nairobi River after the industrial crackdown.
