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{
    "id": 1488133,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1488133/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 230,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nakuru Town East, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. David Gikaria",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "1. A report on the origin and intended destination of the sodium cyanide, including details of the transporter or owner and their compliance with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) regulations on managing and handling of highly toxic substances on transit. 2. The exact quantities of sodium cyanide that spilled from the 22-tonne cargo that was being transported, including details of quantities that were recovered and those that could not be traced. 3. Measures being put in place by NEMA for monitoring the movement of toxic materials across the country and policies for rapid response to such incidences to safeguard the safety of residents. 4. The steps that are being taken by the Ministry to safely dispose the spilled chemical and recover containers of sodium cyanide that were looted for safe disposal to protect the communities near the accident site from potential health risks. 5. Clarify whether there was a plan that has been put in place to hold the owners and transporters of the spilled sodium cyanide accountable for the associated health and environmental hazard that was occasioned by the spillage. I wish to respond as follows: One, the background. On 20th July 2024, a lorry carrying sodium cyanide overturned in Kabembe area, Rironi Town along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway. Some drums with the product were looted by suspects from within Rironi and Limuru locations, while a few cases were spotted loading stolen drums on public vehicles. Sodium cyanide is known to be highly toxic and poisonous and causes acute effects when it comes into contact with the skin, is inhaled or is ingested. If the chemical gets into aquatic environment, it causes significant effect to aquatic organisms. The response to the incident was rapid and involved Tigoni Traffic Police, the Ministry of Health officials, the National Government Administrative Officers, the NEMA inspectors, the County Government of Kiambu officials, the media and the public. Question one was on the origin of the sodium cyanide. It is a Czech Republic product that was imported through the Port of Mombasa by Towata Kenya Limited as evidenced in Annexure 2 in the response. The consignment was being transported by Big Rig Company Limited as evidenced in Annexure 4. Currently, the movement of hazardous and toxic substances is regulated by the Environmental Management and Coordination (EMCA) Act No. 8 of 1999. There are no substantive NEMA regulations for movement and use of chemicals. There is a draft Environmental Management and Coordination Chemical Regulations in place. On Question number two, some amount of sodium cyanide pellets spilled on some parts of the road, although it was not widespread. The spillage on the road was immediately cleaned and the toxic neutralised. Two damaged drums had contents, but the chemical was contained in the primary packaging plastics bags. No spillage occurred as evidenced in Annexure I. Question three: The draft Environmental Management and Coordination Chemical Regulations are in an advanced stage at the Attorney-General's Office. Once they are passed, they will come in handy in regulating the movement, manufacturing, use and management of incidents involving the chemicals when they occur. In addition, NEMA has put in place an elaborate public awareness plan with social media platforms and hotlines for members of the public to report such incidences. Further, NEMA has networked with first responders to incidents, and they include respective county governments and lead agencies. A team is quick to respond and offers expertise in managing environmental pollution incidents. Question four: A robust sensitisation and awareness campaign was launched immediately the Ministry of Health – in collaboration with NEMA – issued a public notice on the same. The public notice was read in all the local churches. This concerted effort and teamwork resulted to the recovery of 18 drums out of the 25 that had been taken away from the The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}