The environmental protection body, NEMA, has closed down Daima milk processing plant and 4 other factories over violations of the Water Quality Regulations Act of 2006.
Daima is part of the Sameer Agriculture & Livestock company.
The arrest of Daima’s Operations Manager, Mr. Kenneth Kareithi and 6 others marked the highlight of the raid. Nema conducted the crackdown in conjunction with Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company.
Sameer Agriculture & Livestock (Daima), Synresins Ltd, Precision plastics, Ennsvalley, and Chloride Exide will remain closed until they comply with wastewater treatment regulations.
Mamo Boru, NEMA’s acting Director-General, alleged that the plant discharged untreated wastewater by bypassing its treatment plant. He also added that Daima did not have the permit to discharge into the Nairobi River.
“We will continue with this exercise to ensure that our rivers are clean and these facilities close,” said Mamo during the crackdown. Additionally, the boss said that the authority would close down the facility until they comply with legal requirements.
According to the authority, there are 122 discharge points in the Nairobi River. However, only 50% of the industries discharging into the public sewer comply with water quality regulations.
In closing, the boss urged the county government to partake the river’s cleaning exercise as NEMA only focuses on regulation.
