The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has intensified a crackdown on hotels, hospitals, petrol stations and apartment buildings accused of illegally releasing wastewater into the environment in Kitui and Makueni counties.
In a statement released on Wednesday, NEMA said its environmental inspectors had launched operations aimed at identifying and stopping illegal discharge of liquid waste, also known as effluent, from different facilities.
The agency says that inspections are underway in some areas of Kitui and Makueni counties to ensure that all establishments adhere to environmental laws on effluent discharge.
“NEMA environmental inspectors have embarked on monitoring and stoppage of illegal effluent discharge to identify illegal effluent discharges,” the regulatory body said.
During an inspection that took place in Wote Town in Makueni County on May 13, a number of businesses were discovered operating contrary to the environmental laws and regulations.
According to the agency, the identified institutions have since been served with restoration orders compelling them to correct their situation before continuing operations.
The enforcement drive is currently being spearheaded by NEMA Director of Environmental Enforcement Ayub Macharia, who has cautioned all businesses against flouting the law, adding that offenders will face closure and legal action.
Macharia says that facilities found contravening the law will not be allowed to operate until they are restored to compliance status.
The agency states that illegal effluent discharge means disposal of treated and untreated effluent, sewage, wastewater, industrial waste or process water into the rivers, land, or sewers without approval.
The inspection exercise is targeting hotels, hospitals, petrol stations, and multi-story residential buildings under Water Quality Regulations 2024.
Under the law, institutions are required to obtain a valid effluent discharge licence from NEMA before releasing wastewater into the environment.
“While it is the responsibility of the sewerage service providers to regulate discharges into sewer lines based on the given specifications, NEMA regulates discharge of all effluent into the environment,” the regulations state.
The rules further state that no individual or institution should release wastewater from industries, sewage treatment plants or other sources into the environment without approval from NEMA.
The crackdown comes as the government steps up efforts to protect water sources and improve public health by enforcing environmental laws across the country.
