A team of inspectors from the environment body inspected the facilities in Gucha and Nyamache districts before issuing the notice.
They warned the institutions to comply or face dire consequences.
Led by inspectors Aden Bille, Jane Nyandika and Gucha District Environment Officer Vincent Ochieng’, the officers gave the facilities 21 days to obtain effluent discharge licenses from Nema or be prosecuted.
The facilities inspected include County Council of Gucha offices in Ogembo town, Ogembo Tea Factory, Omorembe Health Centre and Nyamache Tea Factory.
“Most of these facilities have not complied with effluent discharge regulations as stipulated by the law yet they have potential of generating toxic waste. None of them has complied with waste management regulations,” said Ms Nyandika.
The officer said the objective was to safeguard the environment.
The inspectors said the Gucha County Council lacked a waste management facility and lacked a waste transportation license.
“This exposes residents and the environment to risk,” added Aden.
Council Clerk Humphrey Gitu was issued with a restoration order and directed to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in 21 days.
The team also ordered health facilities in the area to ensure they have biomedical waste incinerators and to improve existing ones.
“We have realised construction firms commence work in projects without conducting EIAs to allow public participation and consultations. This is against the law and won’t be condoned,” said Aden.
Kay Construction, a firm that is working on the Igare-Itumbe road in Nyamache and Sameta districts, was found not to have been compliant.
Resident engineer David Mutoro explained that the firm had hired a consultant to work on an EIA report to be presented to Nema in a week.
By KENAN MIRUKA, The Standard
