4 people arrested in Kirinyaga for discharging sewage into rivers

Four owners of residential buildings discharging sewage into Thiba and Nyamindi rivers in Kirinyaga County have been arrested.

The four were nabbed by a multi-agency team drawn from the County Government, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and the Ministry of Interior and National Coordination.

The team visited several premises along the two major rivers, after a tip-off concerning individuals disposing off untreated effluent into the rivers.

The four are set to appear in court for violating the Public Health Act.

The County Government has in the meantime directed the Department of Environment, Energy, Climate Change, Natural Resources, Water and Irrigation Services, to undertake cleaning of the rivers and other sources of water.

County Executive Committee Member for Medical Services, Public Health and Sanitation, George Karoki, said that residents constructing near rivers should ensure that their premises have septic tanks that would eventually connect to the upcoming county sewer system.

“It is very important to understand and note that issues of water pollution will cause very serious damage to our health as well as our environment. We urge the community to take care of our rivers and heed to environmental regulations on the waste disposal system,” said Karoki.

Draining sewage into rivers

He cautioned that with the outbreak of cholera reported in some parts of the country, draining sewage into rivers is unhygienic and could cause disease outbreak.

“We have formed a committee that is moving around the County and we want to caution those disposing untreated contaminated wastewater into rivers that we will catch up with them. We want the community to know that this behavior is not acceptable and is harming our environment,” he said.

Karoki explained that wastewater contains several harmful substances or chemicals, which may cause adverse effects on people’s health as well as the environment, adding to the spike in diseases such as cancer in the country, which could be attributed to increased pollution of water bodies.

He said the County Government with support from the National Government is setting up a sewer system connecting Kerugoya, Kutus, Kagio, and Sagana town to provide a permanent solution to sewage management.

County Chief Officer for Water and Irrigation Services Peter Murimi said the department would be undertaking a major exercise to clean up Thiba and Nyamindi rivers.

He urged residents to take care of the two rivers for the sake of their lives as they depended on their water for domestic use and irrigation.

“What we are asking the people is that they be cautious and take care of our rivers. Build sewers and stop channeling your drainage waste into the rivers,” advised Murimi.

The County NEMA Director Ezra Ng’ang’a said that the crackdown will continue and those found on the wrong side will face the full force of the law.

He asked those who are still draining their sewer into the river to be considerate of other people who use the water for domestic use especially downstream.

“It is very unfortunate that we still have people who drain the untreated effluent into rivers contrary to environmental regulations. We cannot afford to misuse the little resources we have and especially during this time of drought,” he said.