The Nairobi County Government has announced the closure of two factories in Kayole that were operating near residential buildings.
In a statement shared on Wednesday, August 25, Nairobi County Chief Officer for Environment, Geoffrey Mosiria said that the two factories, which process glass from liquor bottles, often crush and scatter glass bottles near the residential building, in turn posing a risk to residents and motorists.
According to Mosiria, residents had complained that broken glass was injuring children playing in the area and causing punctures to motorists' tires.
Despite warning notices from the county government, the factories failed to comply, thus prompting the closure. Mosiria confirmed that security agencies had also apprehended two supervisors from the facilities.
"We responded to complaints from residents of Kayole regarding recycling facilities that process glass liquor bottles within a residential area. These facilities frequently crush the glass bottles during their operations, often scattering broken glass on the roads.
"Residents report that this has led to children being injured while playing and motorists suffering punctured tires. Despite being issued with prior notices, the operators failed to comply," he added.
Mosiria affirmed that his department will not retreat in reinforcing its crackdown against such facilities, in a bid to improve waste management in the city as well as to guarantee the safety and well-being of residents.
"Such facilities have no place in residential areas, as they pose a direct threat to the safety and well-being of our communities. Nairobi County remains fully committed to protecting residents and ensuring that all waste management activities comply with environmental and safety regulations," Mosiria said.
This comes almost two months after Mosiria, on Thursday, August 7, closed down a motor vehicle garage operating in Runda Estate, considered one of the most affluent neighbourhoods of the country's capital.
The closure of the garage followed recurrent complaints from neighbours within the estate due to excessive noise being emitted from the premises.
During the closure, Mosiria said that security personnel would be deployed in the area to prevent anyone from entering the premises.
"I will deploy security officers who will survey these premises, and if operations continue tomorrow, we shall apprehend and prosecute anyone who is found here. Every worker should carry all their belongings at home, and we will ensure that we close that gate completely," Mosiria said.
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