This archive report was first published on 25 September 2019.
Nairobi, Kenya: On September 25, 2019, London Distillers (Kenya) Ltd went to court to challenge a decision to disconnect its sewer line, citing that the move was illegal and sparked a dispute with local residents over industrial pollution.
The company claims that Mavoko Water and Sewerage Company (MAWASCO) disconnected its sewer line to the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) in Athi River without notice, despite the company having an independent contract with EPZA for the disposal of its pre-treated effluent.
According to lawyer Makogonya Tiego, the company has complied with all requirements allowing it to discharge the effluent to EPZA's main trunks, and MAWASCO's claim that the company is discharging waste to the environment is not true.
However, both MAWASCO and EPZA have accused the company of covering up their illegal discharge of effluent into Athi River and endangering the lives of thousands of people depending on the river's water.
MAWASCO managing director Michael Mang'eli wrote to the company on September 18, raising concerns over the pollution and giving the company two weeks to comply by improving on their wastewater treatment plant in their factory.
EPZA had also suspended the company's permit to discharge its effluent into the public sewer, claiming that test results from various reputable laboratories indicate that the distiller is discharging hazardous effluents to human beings, environment, and organisms.
