Victims of the oil spillage at Thange River in Makueni County continue to suffer its consequences more than 10 years later without a tangible solution, a Senate committee has disclosed.

Senate’s Energy Committee now wants Kenya Pipeline Company, National Environment Management Authority and Makueni County Government to work jointly to resolve the humanitarian crisis occasioned by the oil spillage into River Thange in June 2015.

The committee, led by Siaya Senator, Dr Oburu Oginga, recently visited the area and confirmed that the residents have been experiencing unexplained deaths and illnesses linked to the environmental disaster.

“The Senate, Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and Makueni County Government must now have a solution to this grave matter that has remained unresolved for many years later with residents suffering,” Oburu said.

River pollution

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo told the committee that the pollution of River Thange the matter was investigated in 2015, but nothing much has been done several years later.

According to Mutula Jnr, locals have been suffering the consequences of having benzene in their soil and water, which has resulted in residents suffering from various cancers, with reported deaths and huge expenses in medical care.

“We are burying residents as a result of the consequences of the chemicals in the soil, while others are dependent on frequent medication. The young children who were born after the spillage are still being affected,” Mutula said.

He went on: “We are tired of spending money on funeral expenses and on supporting the medication of the victims of the Thange River spillage. It is clear that the area residents are affected, and they should be compensated adequately.”

Boni Khalwale (Kakamega) said that the Benzene chemical in the soil, if it gets into the body system of residents for one year, has the capacity to cause them various cancers since it gets into their bone marrow and is resistant to various medications.

“There is a need for an immediate mitigation initiative which might include relocating residents from the areas that are highly affected to ensure that they do not continue suffering,” said Khalwale.

Human face

Narok Senator Ledama ole Kina said that there was a need to put a human face to the matter since going to court might take a long time to resolve the matter, with residents continuing to suffer.

Olekina said that issues of environmental pollution are very serious with long-term repercussions on those affected and that all actors in the Thange matter should take it seriously since there have been deaths and illnesses that can be linked to what was experienced several years ago.

Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo said that Sang was not available when the Senate Energy Committee visited the ground and that it was important for him to be there since this would change his perception of how he was handling the matter, which was of great concern to area residents.

“The residents of Makueni have suffered for the last 10 years since tragedy struck, unfortunately, Kenya Pipeline Company does not seem to give this matter the seriousness it deserves; that is why we want all stakeholders to address this matter,” Maanzo said.

NEMA Director General Mamo Mamo told Senators that the state agency granted partial decommissioning to the Kenya Pipeline Company based on a report they received from experts and called for regular monitoring of water and soil to check on pollution.

Kenya Pipeline Corporation (KPC) Managing Director Joe Sang welcomed the Senate’s directions, stating that they were ready to work with other stakeholders to address the concerns of the Thange residents.

He pointed out that the 242 households had been identified and given Ksh38 million as compensation, adding that they had offered the local community Ksh324 million as support to the community.

“We have dug trenches in a 2.1 km stretch to cut off any movement of the oil product when the matter was brought to our attention, and we were ready to work with locals. We have a comprehensive insurance cover, and we are committed to working with all stakeholders to resolve the matter finally,” Sang said.

He went on: “Kenya Pipeline Company has done everything possible to address the matters raised by Thange residents, that is why we are willing to engage with all stakeholders as guided by the Senate so that the matter can be resolved once and for all.”