This archive report was first published on 19 September 2019.
On September 19, 2019, Embu Water and Sanitation Company (EWASCO) Managing Director Hamilton Karugendo and two senior officials faced charges in court over alleged sewage discharge.
The three appeared before Embu Resident Magistrate Juliana Ndengeri on Wednesday, accused of discharging effluent without a license from the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA).
According to the charge sheet, on July 16, 2019, at around 1:37 pm in Embu town, the top managers at EWASCO were found operating the company without a valid discharge license issued by NEMA, contravening the said Act.
However, the MD, Karugendo, alongside Felix Gitonga and Christopher Kamuruana, the company's Technical manager and Head of operations, denied the charges.
The three were arrested during a crackdown within Embu town after it was discovered that EWASCO was releasing effluent without the appropriate permits.
Staff from the water management body reportedly flocked the courtroom in what appeared to be a show of solidarity.
