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Environment watchdog National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has arrested two people in Kaberia, Dagoretti South Constituency for operating without effluent discharges licenses.

In the crackdown led by the acting CEO Mamo Boru Mamo who was backed by a contingent of security officers, the officials apprehended the two people, a mother and a son for failing to comply with the water quality regulation in getting the effluent discharge licenses.

The Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) section 75(1) state that no person shall release effluent to the environment unless they have a valid effluent discharge license or in default serve up to 4 years in jail or Sh 4 million in fine or both.

” Our aim is to restore Nairobi river to it’s former glory. We will work hard until we have arrested all those discharging effluent in the river,” he said.

Mamo took a swipe at Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company for what he termed as negligence to connect the area with a proper sewer system despite them applying for it.

“We have a very big problem at NWSC which we will sit and watch.Its high time now the management came out clear and told us what they are doing to ensure these areas have a proper system,” he said.

Mamo  said the crackdown will be extended to other towns and warned that no amount of intimidation and impunity will deter them from carrying out water quality regulation inspections to ensure that institutions and business enterprises in the country strictly complied with the process of getting an effluent discharge license