The Kirinyaga County Government has initiated a severe crackdown on owners of facilities that discharge sewage into the Thiba and Nyamindi rivers.
The raid, which began on Tuesday, resulted in the arrest of four owners of residential and commercial buildings for diverting their sewer lines into the Thiba River.
The four are scheduled to appear in court on charges of breaking the Public Health Act.
A multi-agency team from the County Government, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and the Ministry of Interior and National Coordination is conducting the crackdown.
Governor Anne Waiguru has ordered building owners not to dump untreated sewage into rivers.
Ezra Ng’ang’a, County Director of NEMA, stated that the crackdown would continue and that individuals discovered to be on the wrong side will face the law.
“It is quite terrible that we still have people who discharge untreated effluent into rivers contrary to environmental standards. “We cannot afford to waste our limited resources, especially during this drought,” NEMA Director stated.
During the launch of the crackdown along the Thiba River in Kutus town, Chief Officer for Water and Irrigation Services Peter Murimi urged villagers to safeguard the rivers in order to protect their lives, since they rely on the water for usage and irrigation.
“What we are asking the people is that they be cautious and take care of our rivers. Build sewers tanks and stop channelling your drainage waste into the rivers,” said Murimi.
He asked those who are still draining their sewer into the river to be considerate to other people who use the water for domestic use especially downstream.
