The National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) has initiated the long-awaited cleanup of the pollution-ravaged Owino-Uhuru settlement in Jomvu Sub-County, following a Supreme Court ruling. This action, stemming from a years-long legal battle, has sparked significant resistance from residents and activists who accuse NEMA of failing to adequately involve the community in the process.
The issue dates back to 2016 when the Environment and Land Court in Mombasa first heard allegations against Metal Refinery (EPZ) Limited, which had set up a lead-acid battery recycling factory in the area in 2006. The community, led by the Center for Justice Governance and Environmental Action (CJGEA), claims that toxic waste from the factory seeped into the soil and water, causing widespread lead poisoning that resulted in over 20 deaths. Residents and environmental groups pushed for the factory’s closure, eventually winning a legal victory that saw the Supreme Court order NEMA to oversee the remediation of the contaminated environment.
Despite the court’s directive, the cleanup has faced fierce opposition. Some residents and activists argue that NEMA has been insufficiently transparent and has not adequately engaged the community in the cleanup plans. Environmental activist Phyllis Omido and pollution victim Khamisi Diyo stormed a public participation meeting to demand an end to the proceedings, accusing NEMA of not consulting the community as required by the Supreme Court ruling.
In response, NEMA affirmed its commitment to the cleanup, with Legal Director Erastus Gitonga stressing the agency’s dedication to restoring environmental justice. NEMA’s Director of Environmental Enforcement and Compliance, Robert Orina, outlined plans for a comprehensive environmental assessment, including soil sampling, water monitoring, and vegetation analysis to determine the contamination levels. Furthermore, NEMA has introduced chemical regulations to prevent similar environmental disasters in the future.
NEMA has scheduled a public baraza in Owino-Uhuru to engage directly with residents and address their concerns, signaling a continued push for environmental restoration despite the ongoing opposition.
