November 18th – 21st, 2024
From November 18th to 21st, 2024, the National Environmental Complaints Committee (NECC), under the leadership of Hon. Godana Doyo (Chairman) and committee members Mr. William Nairuko and Mr. Ernest Kioko, HSC, conducted field investigations in Kericho, Homabay, Uasin Gishu, and Bungoma Counties. The investigations aimed to address the following environmental complaints:
A. Kericho County
- Uncovered manholes in Kericho Town, posing safety hazards to pedestrians and motorists, with reported injuries.
- Unrepaired leaking sewer lines causing business and hotel closures.
- Proliferation of car washes on riparian land and rivers.
- Discharge of raw sewage from Aldai Kintal Home into storm drains, with the facility constructed on a trunk sewer.
- Damage to an indigenous forest.
B. Homabay County
- Effluent discharge from the HOMAWASCO plant in Arunda Village.
- Construction of a fish market on riparian land near Homa Bay Tourist Hotel.
- Fish deaths in Kendu Bay Pier, Karachuonyo Constituency.
C. Uasin Gishu County
- Unrehabilitated quarry in Moi University-Kesses, posing environmental, health, and safety risks to residents.
- Effluent discharge due to sewer blockages in Yamumbi/Langas area.
- Discharge of effluent waste on Eldoret Municipality Block 10/185 by Bi-Corn Products Limited.
D. Bungoma County
- Environmental degradation from quarrying activities in Musikoma Ward, Kanduyi Constituency.
- Drying of springs, dams, and rivers due to deforestation and encroachment in Mt. Elgon, Bukokholo, Sirisia Constituency.
- Noise pollution from a church in Kimilili.
E. Vihiga County
The final leg of the NECC field trip, led by Hon. Godana Doyo, focused on revisiting the Maragoli Hills in Vihiga County. The team explored the western part of the hills, which has undergone reforestation efforts over the past six years. Accompanied by CFA Chairman Edgar Mulongo and KFS rangers, Hon. Doyo reached the summit and commended the collaborative efforts of the community, county government, KFS, CFA, and other partners in restoring the once-barren hills.
The County Conservator, Mr. Sikuku, later joined the visit. Hon. Doyo also paid a courtesy call to the Governor of Vihiga County, who had just returned from CoP 29 in Baku, meeting with him at his office in Mbale.
The investigations included courtesy calls to the respective County Commissioners, consultative meetings with environmental stakeholders, complainants, and respondents, followed by site visits to assess the reported issues.
Hon. Doyo stated, ” The Investigative work in Homa Bay was well-organized, with our visitation divided into three segments.
Firstly, a stakeholders’ meeting brought together broad-based representatives from both county and national governments. The meeting was mostly led by heads of departments and directorates, including Land/Environment, Fisheries/Marine, Housing, Public Services, Cooperatives, Water, and Lake Basin Development. Government agencies such as NEMA, KFS, KFMRI, and Homawasco were well-represented, and the office of the County Commissioner ably coordinated the meeting.
We then visited the sites of complaints, where the CEO of Homawasco took us on a familiarization tour of the water treatment process, reticulation system, and bio-chemical water sampling lab. The water discharge system was convincingly explained.
Secondly, the team visited the Kendu Bay area, where mass fish deaths in cages had occurred a few weeks prior. This phenomenon was attributed to possible asphyxiation due to scarce energy caused by caging near the shallowest water depth. However, the Kenya Fishery Services and Kenya Fish and Marine Research Institute are still analyzing the samples recovered from the cages.
Finally, I had a fruitful discussion with the County Commissioner, Mr. Moses Lilan. He provided an overview of the development and environmental issues in Homa Bay, describing the county as an ’emerging giant in the Lake Basin Region,’ taking advantage of the blue economy opportunities, with 80% of Lake Victoria domiciled in the county.
The last leg of my field trip was revisiting the Maragoli Hills. I ventured into the western part of the hills, which has been undergoing reforestation over the past six years. The CFA Chairman, Edgar Mulongo, and KFS rangers accompanied me on my quest to reach the summit. I can report that the community, county government, KFS, CFA, and other partners are making commendable efforts toward restoring the previously barren Maragoli Hills.
The County Conservator, Mr. Sikuku, later joined us. I also paid a courtesy call to the Governor, who had just returned from COP 29 in Baku, that morning, at his office in Mbale, Vihiga County.”
