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{
    "id": 59511,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/59511/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 204,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Kajembe",
    "speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Environment and Mineral Resources",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 163,
        "legal_name": "Ramadhan Seif Kajembe",
        "slug": "ramadhan-kajembe"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Speaker, Sir, the hon. C. Kilonzo, the MP for Yatta Constituency sought a Ministerial Statement on 22nd February, 2011. A similar occurrence was reported around the same time, between February and March 2009 which are the driest months of the year. The Ministry of Water and Irrigation carried out an investigation and subsequent analysis of the water samples and compiled a report that indicated that the cause of death was not due to pollution from Thika and Nairobi rivers that feed Athi River. Further investigations by Water Resources Management Authority for Tana catchment area indicated that the death of fish could have been due to reduced water volume in the river due to the prevailing drought situation at that time. A copy of the findings was copied to Mr. C. Kilonzo through his farm manager, Mr. Asiso. The fact that the death of fish is again being experienced almost at the same time when the drought situation is at its peak can only serve to confirm that this is not an aftermath of pollution of the national rivers. However, as regards the current situation, the District Water Officer together with the Public Health Officer have collected water samples for analysis by the Government Chemist. Mr. Speaker, Sir, my Ministry, through, NEMA, has put the following measures in place to reduce pollution in the river:- 1. Through Environmental Impact Assessment process, NEMA does not approve any project to be put up on riparian reserves of the rivers feeding into River Athi and Nairobi River. 2. It is understood that greening of riparian reserves of River Nairobi, for instance, in Kamukunji and Tassia areas. 3. We have closed Kayole dumpsite that was contributing to pollution of Nairobi River and we are implementing a greening project to rehabilitate the dumpsite. My Ministry has been liaising with the Government agencies such as the Provincial Administration, which on 23rd February, 2011, held a baraza at Maini Market and the affected community was advised not to eat the dead fish nor use untreated water from the river until the situation was arrested. There was also an announcement made at Musyii Radio FM station. Mr. Speaker, Sir, along Nairobi and Ngong Rivers, we have inspected all illegal raw sewerages discharge points and given improvement orders to the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company to take litigation measures. The company has responded by rehabilitating sewerage treatment points in Karen and with the ongoing construction of Uzima Main Sewer Line, among others, apart from emergency responses, to burst sewers. We have even taken the company to court in cases where they were not acting. With regard to Thika Sewerage Treatment Plant, improvement orders have been issued to all the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company to carry out an environmental audit and put in mitigation measures in areas identified not to be performing well. I wish to state in this House that it is only through results of water samples taken to the Government Chemist that we shall be able to determine whether the water is fit for human consumption or not. However, measures have been put in place where the community has been advised by the Ministry of Water and Irrigation and the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation to treat water by use of aquafresh tabs before taking it. Some of the aquafresh tabs have been issued to the community by District Public Health Officers. The District Water Officer engaged the services of the water tanker that is used to deliver water to the affected community boreholes free of charge. Water storage tanks were also given to the community through Arid Management Programme."
}