Thika: Residents of Ngoingwa estate in Thika town, Kiambu County, are protesting against a factory in their area, claiming that its operations pose a risk to their health and the environment.
According to Kenya News Agency, the factory, located in Mukarara, Kisiwa, produces egg trays from waste materials, including plastics. Residents argue that emissions from the factory expose them to health risks. Led by Francis Njuguna, Nyumba Kumi leader for Kisiwa West, the protesters have urged the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and other agencies to shut down or relocate the factory to industrial zones nearby.
Njuguna emphasized that no public participation was conducted as mandated by law, and he expressed concerns about the residents' increased vulnerability to respiratory ailments such as asthma, allergies, and skin infections. He called for swift action from authorities to close the factory.
Doreen Awinja, another resident, highlighted that children are particularly affected by the emissions, suffering from persistent coughs, colds, and respiratory illnesses since the plant's establishment a year ago. She urged the government to take immediate measures to protect them.
Additionally, Ndung'u Gatiu, a homeowner, noted that the factory's establishment and operations remain unclear to locals, raising suspicions of irregular approvals. Documents reviewed by journalists indicate that NEMA had previously ordered the factory owner to cease operations pending investigations, but residents allege that the directive was ignored.
The factory, which began operations about a year ago, was only brought to the attention of locals after they observed trucks unloading materials and transporting finished products. Residents are now calling on both the national and Kiambu county governments to intervene, asserting that their right to a safe and clean environment is being compromised.