Deceased Golden Africa Kenya Limited employees Mathew Kiprotich, James Wanjala Nyongesa and Stephen Okoth. Two days after three people died on Friday at Golden Africa Kenya Ltd’s Athi River plant, the Golden Africa Kenya Ltd Management is yet to issue a statement.
In what colleagues said was disregard of procedures and lack of proper working conditions at the plant, Stephen Okoth, Kelong Mathew Kiprotich and James Wanjala went in to clean a soak pit with sludge in it when they suffocated.
The next of kin of the victims are also yet to be officially contacted by the firm.
Okoth went in first, then he cried out for help.
The other two went in to assist him, but none of them came out alive.
The men died at the Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) section, which consists of a series of big waste collection tanks.
The tanks hold waste temporarily before they are treated and disposed of.
The sludge is treated periodically, at least once every six months.
It remains unclear how or why the three men gained access to the septic tank, which is usually cleaned using advanced equipment under close supervision.
The necessary equipment includes oxygen tanks and masks.
Colleagues who spoke to media say the victims did not have any safety equipment with them.
When contacted, the company’s general manager refused to comment on the matter.
On the other hand, the Human Resource Manager, Ms Perpetual Wainaina, said she was busy on Christmas holiday.
Golden Africa Kenya Ltd (GAKL) is the parent company of Pika cooking oil, Avena cooking oil, Zenta bar soap and Super Sapa bar soaps among other products.
