The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has debunked widespread claims that raw sewage was flowing over two kilometres before joining River Kathita in Meru.
Responding to allegations that the two-kilometre stretch of sewage was spreading a foul smell in the area and was a possible cause of the rampant cancer cases in the region, NEMA revealed that they had assessed the complaint and determined the alleged sewage was, in fact, treated wastewater and did not bear any smell.
"We are in receipt of this issue. Our County Director of Environment in Meru visited the site with other relevant officers. The preliminary findings established that the water in question is actually treated wastewater from the sewer plant and has no smell," part of the statement read.
"However, the Director and the team held a meeting with the sewer plant management to undertake dislodging of the lagoons as they wait for the completion of the new sewer plant, which is 60 per cent complete."
In videos and images shared on social media, a stream of water was seen flowing through vegetation in the area.
The response was also prompted by social media users' scepticism over NEMA's responsibility, with some questioning why the authority had not assessed the issue.
"As you go down, area residents in Gakoromone will tell you that none of the leaders nor Meru Water and Sewerage Company cares about the residents. Does NEMA really exist in Meru?" a social media blogger quipped.
NEMA's response comes just two days after it also refuted claims that new fines had been introduced for perpetrators of environmental pollution.
Taking to social media, NEMA flagged the viral graphic, which claimed fines of up to Ksh1 billion for both private and public companies engaging in illegal dumping, or a prison sentence of up to 15 years, as fake.
More specifically, the graphic alleged that depositing rubbish in water bodies such as rivers, streams, channels, or lakes would incur a Ksh6 million fine, while damaging wetlands would result in a Ksh3 million penalty.
Currently, the law stipulates a fine of between Ksh2 million and Ksh4 million or a prison sentence of one to four years for violating environmental standards or wasting natural resources.
Polluting the environment by discharging dangerous materials into land, water, air, or aquatic environments is punishable by fines ranging from Ksh2 million to Ksh5 million.
