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{
    "id": 1122775,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1122775/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 244,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Narok North, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Richard ole Kenta",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 420,
        "legal_name": "Richard Moitalel ole Kenta",
        "slug": "richard-moitalel-ole-kenta"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, the Committee visited the LDK premises on two occasions and the latest one being in October 2021. Whereas LDK purported to have done what they are supposed to do, Erdemann maintained that they did not fulfil the requirements of the Report of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. In fact, the progress report by NEMA was disputed by Erdemann and they said that the effluent discharge was still going on. There was also the issue of the state-of-the-art equipment which was supposed to arrest the pollution. London Distillers Kenya (LDK) Limited appeared before the Committee and brought some receipts. This confirmed they had spent Kshs141, 552, 291.83 whereas they had claimed that they had used over Ksh216, 951,740. So, there were discrepancies in the report. The Ministry also appeared and said NEMA had done its best and is continuing to do so. The pollution was not limited to LDK, but there were other factories in the larger Athi River area which were also contributing to pollution. The Ministry of Environment and Forestry had been given six months to ensure that this was done. Unfortunately, it was not done within that time. It was a resolution of this House that if LDK did not conform to the resolution, then they should be closed. I want to thank the Member of Parliament for Mavoko because he appeared before us. The Committee met the LDK staff who were crying and saying that the closure would affect their families and their lives would change forever. We insisted that whereas they had their rights, of importance was the right of the Kenyan people to a clean and healthy environment which is paramount, including those working there. The most important thing is how Parliament can ensure there is a balance and none of those people suffer. It was actually agreed by both Committees that the parties to the Petition, LDK and Edermann Property Limited should co-exist harmoniously as recommended by the Departmental Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. They were to improve on the environment and ensure it is not affected. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, pursuant to this, the Committee went further to say this is a continuous process. It cannot be a one-time thing but continuous because those activities go on every year, day-in and day-out. On the administrative compliance, the Committee recommended that NEMA should ensure LDK continues embracing and adapting to emerging technologies to mitigate environmental pollution. In case LDK relapses on implementing the recommendations by the Departmental Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, then NEMA shall institute the necessary control improvement orders and consequently closure orders. This would cause the closure of LDK, Athi River factory, within six months. So, if they do not comply, this should be enforced."
}