Senator Julius Murgor (West Pokot) has sought a Statement from the Senate Committee on Trade, Industrialization and Tourism regarding the corporate social responsibility programmes undertaken by companies operating in the county.
“In recent years, several companies have established manufacturing and mining operations within West Pokot County. While these companies contribute to local economic activity, there are growing concerns that many of them have not adequately fulfilled their corporate social responsibility obligations,” submitted Sen. Murgor.
He added, “In particular, residents have raised concerns regarding Chiromo Fertilizer Ltd, which has set up a manufacturing plant in Chepareria Town.”
The Committee is expected to address the monitoring, enforcement and evaluation mechanisms put in place by national and county governments to ensure that all companies comply with environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards and the measures established to ensure that such enterprises contribute sustainably to the social and economic development of local communities.
The Committee will also address the environmental, social and public health safeguards adopted by industrial and manufacturing entities operating in Chepareria Town, including but not limited to Chiromo Fertilizer Ltd, to mitigate adverse impacts arising from their operations and their level of compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
Further, the Committee is expected to outline the corporate social responsibility initiatives undertaken by companies operating in Chepareria Town and the wider West Pokot County since the commencement of their operations including annual investments in social programmes, priority areas of intervention, partnerships with county and community institutions and detailed employment data specifying the number and proportion of employees recruited from local communities.
By Anthony Solly
