Update: January 10, 2024: Bamburi Cement has voluntarily suspended a raft of activities after consultations with the Mombasa County Government.
In a press release sent to Kenyans.co.ke on Wednesday, January 10, the company refuted reports that it was temporarily shut down for sparking health concerns in Mombasa.
Reports had alleged that the company was accused of allegedly dumping coal dust on open fields, which attracted backlash from residents living near the factory's plant in Coastal County.
"In collaboration with the County Government of Mombasa, we have voluntarily suspended certain activities, implementing additional measures and forming a cross-functional committee. In our commitment to compliance, we are conducting thorough reviews, enhancing community engagement, and maintaining normal operations.
"These measures have not in any way affected our general operations. Our extensive CSR initiatives and sustainability efforts, including the Bamburi Haller Park (our former Quarry), showcase our dedication to environmental stewardship and community well-being. We continue to engage with the County Government of Mombasa’s Public Health, Environment departments, and other stakeholders, to arrive at a sustainable solution," the press release stated.
Earlier Mombasa County Deputy Governor Francis Thoya accompanied by officials from the National Environment Management Authority of Kenya (NEMA) on Monday visited the factory's premises in a bid to get answers to the concerns raised by the locals.
Upon their arrival, the officials claimed that they discovered that coal dust was being openly dumped instead of being stored in silos as had earlier been recommended.
"I have ordered the operations of dumping the coal to be halted immediately and further ordered that their shipment at the port of Mombasa be withheld immediately," Thoya remarked.
The residents living near the factory had complained that the dust had been affecting their health, causing respiratory infections.
"The residents had complained to us demanding to know what action we were going to take," Thoya noted.
"We have done our investigations in partnership with the Public Health and we realized that for the last two months, Bamburi cement has been depositing the dust here."
The County Government further ordered the factory to draft regulations on how they were going to deal with the menace before being allowed to continue operating.
"They should come with draft regulations on how this coal dust can be eliminated or stored in silos, and this order begins immediately," the deputy governor commented.
"They deposit their coal dust in their land though in the open, something which is abnormal."
Residents had resorted to putting on face masks and socks to protect themselves from the black dust that they noted had immensely affected them for a long time.
