The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) officials have apprehended five hotel proprietors following an enforcement operation conducted within Kitui County.
In a statement on Monday, July 1, 2024, NEMA stated the hotel owners failed to comply with improvement orders issued by the authority on proper waste management.
NEMA detailed that the owners were operating hotels without an Effluent Discharge License (EDL) that allows them to release treated wastewater into the environment in line with the Water Quality Regulations.
The hotels mentioned by NEMA include Kitui Premier, Summer Oasis, Kitui Resort, Heritage and Park Side Villa hotels.
During the operation, the principal of Jordan Hospital Medical College in Kitui Town was arrested after the institution was found pumping untreated effluent (raw sewer) onto a public road.
“During the enforcement exercise, Jordan Hospital Medical College in Kitui Town was found pumping Untreated Effluent (raw sewer) onto a public road,” NEMA’s statement read in part.
“They had not applied for Effluent Discharge License- which is illegal as stipulated in the Water Quality Regulations, 2006. The principal was arrested to answer to the charges.”
The arrested persons are expected to be arraigned and charged with violating waste-releasing procedures as stipulated by NEMA.
During the enforcement exercise, Jordan Hospital Medical College in Kitui Town was found pumping Untreated Effluent (raw sewer) onto a public road. They had not applied for Effluent Discharge License- which is illegal as stipulated in the Water Quality Regulations, 2006. The… pic.twitter.com/odNALfFSiE
— NEMA Kenya (@NemaKenya) July 1, 2024
Previous arrests in Kitengela
On July 20, 2024, NEMA officials arrested six people who were found in possession of banned plastic bags.
They were found with 32,171 pieces of banned plastic flat bags.
6 people were arrested yesterday in Kitengela Town, Kajiado County, after they were found in possession of banned plastic bags. This is contrary to legal notice No. 2356 and No. 2334. They will be arraigned in court to answer to the charges. They were found with 32,171 pieces of… pic.twitter.com/kETgKgbPHt
— NEMA Kenya (@NemaKenya) June 20, 2024
During the operation, NEMA officials arrested the proprietors of Isinya Slaughter House and King Quality Meat in Kitengela town, Kajiado County.
They were arrested for discharging effluent into the environment contrary to Section 75 of EMCA and Regulations 6 and 27 of water quality regulations.
NEMA has arrested the proprietors of Isinya Slaughter house and King Quality Meat in Kitengela town, Kajiado County. They were arrested for discharging effluent to the environment contrary to Section 75 of EMCA and Regulation 6 & 27 of water quality regulations. They have also… pic.twitter.com/DsSqUQv5rF
— NEMA Kenya (@NemaKenya) June 20, 2024