Nema Orders Shut Down of Kibos Sugar Accused of Polluting Lake Victoria

The National Environment Management Authority (Nema) on 25^th February 2019 shut down two plants, distillery, and paper mill, at Kibos Sugar Company based in Kisumu over pollution allegations.

The shutdown of the two Kibos Sugar plants follows vehement claims that the company has been discharging dangerous waste in River Kibos which drains into Lake Victoria.

Residents have previously decried the manner in which the Company has been dumping waste into the river making it harmful to them, their livestock and the marine life at Lake Victoria.

Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko had earlier reassured residents that the Ministry would take firm action against the factory if it was found guilty of discharging dangerous waste into the river.

“Time is up for those who think that they are untouchable, no one will be spared,” Mr. Tobiko had warned.

A Kisumu court had two months ago ordered the closure of Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries over massive pollution of River Kibos and its environments and it is still unclear under what terms the company continued to operate.

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In a ruling delivered by Environment court judge Stephen Kibunja in November 2018, the judge ordered that the Company was to stop milling sugarcane, producing power and distilling alcohol pending determination of the case petitioned by Benson Adega, Eric Ochieng and Bether Opiyo.

River Kibos is considered a major source of water for the residents of Kisumu East and Nema action comes a little bit too late for the residents. The Kibos Sugar Company is said to employ over 2000 employees and contributes over 1 billion shillings in taxes but the health impact it is having on the community is detrimental. It, however, remains to be seen if the Kibos Sugar company will up their game and get a safe way of disposing off its wastage.

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