Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter has given the Kenya Pipeline Company and Nema two weeks to clean up an oil spill in Thange River, Kibwezi East, Makueni county.
Keter on Monday said he is not happy at the delay by the two institutions to lessen the adverse effects of the spillage.
He directed the KPC and National Environmental Management Authority to start mitigation efforts and present a report to his office in two weeks.
The leakage happened in June last year when KPC’s Mombasa-Nairobi pipeline broke near Thange River.
According to a medical report from the Makueni government, petroleum spilt into the river.
The oil also contaminated some private shallow wells a few metres from where the spillage occurred.
Keter visited the village on Monday.
He was with Governor Kivutha Kibwana and Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr.
The CS said after receiving the report, he will revisit in a month to assess progress.
He also promised compensation for all victims.
Kibwana said 380 residents have been tested for likely lead poisoning.
Resident Mary Kiio said the spillage forced them to abandon their homes and farms.
“We ran away to protect our health. But some of us had drunk the contaminated water, so we are worried about chronic diseases or infertility among our men,” she said.
Keter said he is not pleased with an exchange of letters between the KPC and the affected residents.
He said he will work with his Water counterpart Eugene Wamalwa to build a dam in the village to ensure a long-term solution to water shortage.
Kibwana said the county is ready to work with the national government for an amicable out-of-court solution to the environmental crisis.
