MACHAKOS, Kenya – A section of residents of Mavoko have petitioned the Machakos County Government to take stern action against companies around Athi River that contribute to the pollution of River Athi without any recourse for conservation.
According to the residents who mobilised and set out to plant bamboo trees along the Athi River bank that stretches across Machakos County, it is becoming a norm for the polluters to go scot-free, not realising the damage they are causing to residents of the region that depend heavily on the water, whether within the county or downstream.
When Y News recently visited the area, we found the irate residents of Mavoko in Machakos County congregated at one of the accessible areas to River Athi to start an exercise they believe will contribute to saving future generations.
Here, through a local foundation, they are bringing bamboo trees they will plant across the stretch in the county as one of the ways they can reclaim the river, which is now heavily contaminated through the discharge of untreated waste from the many companies that give Athi River a name.
The community around believes that taking action first will compel the companies to heed their cry and act.
The local foundation—the KISAKA Foundation—which has played a critical role in mobilising the community, argues that their efforts to reach companies accused of pollution have been futile despite the dangers caused to the community.
Why is there a dire need to conserve the River Athi
John Kakui, chair of the KISAKA Foundation, said there is a dire need to conserve the river for the sake of the people living downstream.
“Those people who live downstream use this water for domestic purposes, irrigation, and watering their livestock. So, if the water is not clean, you will find that they will use contaminated water. We want to clean it so that it can be used by these particular individuals,” said Kakui.
Y News established that the choice of trees has been scientifically selected, as they have all agreed to plant bamboo trees.
According to Kakui, they are planting the bamboo trees on the banks of the River Athi along the stretch that traverses Machakos County right from the boundary with Kajiado County.
“We can even go further if we find that after that stretch downwards, there is another stretch that needs our attention. But so far, we are planting on the stretch that traverses Machakos County because it is in this area where many industries pollute the water,” he further explained.
When reached for comment, Jimmy Maison, a researcher from the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), said that they recommended bamboo trees because, from the preliminary research they have done, bamboo has come out as one of the best candidates in terms of the issues of conservation of rivers and also the infiltration of these heavy metals that we are talking about.
“So, the other preferred species are also vital because they also help in the stabilisation of the riverbanks. But as we speak about River Athi, sometimes the water levels go up after the banks burst, so the other tree species may not be able to withstand the water pressure,” he said.
How EPZA reacted to the River Athi pollution claims
So, Maison observed that bamboo happens to be among the best in terms of conservation; even if the riverbanks burst, the waters may not be able to wash away the bamboo.
Y News knows that, as much as many of the companies are not heeding the conservation call, the residents’ association appreciates those that do but wants action against those that are notorious.
“These companies that operate in this area should come on board because they are the ones who are responsible for the mess that this area finds itself in. So, they should join us so that we can continue with what we are doing,” explained Kakui.
But in a quick rejoinder, Viviane Nabuso, a senior environment and sewerage technician at the Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA), said that in every industry that is established under their program, they encourage that before they release any discharge to their wastewater facility, they should do the pre-treatment of their waste so as to meet the standards of the discharge to the public sewers.
“So, our industries don’t discharge directly to the rivers but to our wastewater sewer line, which goes to our waste treatment plant in Kinanie,” explained Nabuso.
Why everyone should support the conservation efforts
Kakui reiterated that the conservation activities they are conducting are a multi-sectoral national effort, and they should incorporate all stakeholders.
“All we are saying is that we need all hands on deck from the national and county governments, the private sector, public and private institutions, and even individuals.
Nabuso further indicated that the EPZA is geared towards environmental management.
“Today’s initiative is one among many that we have had before, and we are working together to do even more,” she added.
The foundation, in collaboration with the GREEN AFRICA group, is also setting out on a mission to reclaim the lower eastern counties, which they say, despite their semi-arid status, have the potential to feed the country and get out of the drought cycle.
The Athi River is one such source of water that they say would contribute to feeding the region if the water were clean enough and devoid of the harmful chemicals dumped there.
