Bamburi Cement has refuted claims of shut down of its general operations over environmental concerns raised by the Mombasa County Government.
- •Instead, the company said it voluntarily suspended certain activities in collaboration with the county government of Mombasa due to a recent incident caused by unprecedented winds during coal storage preparation at its plant.
- •The suspension of the company’s activities was prompted by accusations of depositing coal dust in open fields, a move that elicited criticism from nearby residents in Nyali Constituency.
- •Residents complained about the adverse impact of dust on their health, resulting in respiratory infections.
“In collaboration with the County Government of Mombasa, we have voluntarily suspended certain activities, implemented additional measures and formed a cross-functional committee. In our commitment to compliance, we are conducting thorough reviews, enhancing community engagement, and maintaining normal operations,” reads a statement from Bamburi.
Mombasa County Deputy Governor Francis Thoya, along with representatives from the National Environment Management Authority of Kenya (NEMA), visited the factory on Monday Jan 8th to address concerns raised by the local community. The officials issued an immediate closure order after discovering that coal dust was being openly dumped instead of being properly stored in silos, as had been previously recommended.
“These measures have not in any way affected our general operations. We continue to engage with the County Government of Mombasa’s Public Health, Environment departments, and other stakeholders, to arrive at a sustainable solution,” Bamburi said.