•On Friday, MPs visited the area to probe the extent of environmental damage by the firm
•'We can’t allow industries to displace harmless innocent children in the name of making profits'
A parliamentary committee wants Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries in Kisumu relocated for interfering with work in adjacent institutions and threatening lives.
Kibos, established in 2008, is accused of discharging effluent in River Kibos, and causing massive water and air pollution. Residents say the plant is also noisy and releases dust in the air. Company chairman Raju Chanan has denied the accusations.
The hardest hit institutions are Kibos Prison, Kibos School for the Blind and Kibos Primary School. National Environmental Management Authority (Nema), education and security officers have been accused of complicity.
River Kibos is a source of water for thousands of residents and animals.
On Friday, the parliamentary committee on Labour and Social Welfare was in the area to investigate the extent of environmental damage caused by the firm.
Chairman Ali Wario (Bura) said, “We can’t allow industries to displace harmless innocent children in the name of making profits.”
Some of his colleagues told the company to relocate the school and ensure it has standard infrastructure or else move out. The lawmakers said any industry should improve lives, otherwise it has no business existing.
A joint committee on Labour, Environment and Education will visit the area on a further fact-finding mission.
“We will summon the county administration, factory owners, education and Nema officers. We have witnessed the impunity and danger facing our children,” Wario said.
Bungoma Woman Representative Catherine Wambilianga said, “This kind of environment is not suitable for learning. I really sympathise with the learners. Action must be taken.”
She urged the House Education committee to intervene.
Nyatike's Tom Odege accused the firm of impunity and demanded stern action against it. He said they will not allow the school to surrender its land to the factory in case it is relocated.
“Even if Kibos accepts to relocate the school at its cost, the land must remain public. We aren’t selling land at the cost of the school.”
Odege warned that the company might be seeking land for expansion and arm-twisting the community to have its way.
“It’s clear Kibos wants to relocate the school at the cost of the land. You can’t come to a community, arm-twist them, remove them and take their land at your own terms.”
The lawmaker said the factory was the last to be built and should be the one to move out.
Bomet Central’s Ronald Tonui wants the interests of the students prioritised.
“For a factory to be established, there must be public engagement and an environmental impact assessment. If it was objected to and [residents’ position] ignored, then money changed hands,” he said.
He called on the House Environment committee to look into the EIA report that allowed the construction and ensure culpable officers are punished.
Ol Joro Orok MP Michael Muchira said, “It is evident Nema ignored the EIA report and those involved must take responsibility.”
He cautioned the community against surrendering the school land to the company.
Muhoroni’s Onyango K'Oyoo concurred with his colleagues and demanded the relocation of the sugar mill. It must forthwith stop discharging effluent into the river, he said, adding, “With the noise, dust and air pollution, learning is impossible. We must stand up for the learners and the community at large.”
He accused the company of non-compliance with environmental regulations and questioned how its construction was allowed without a proper environmental impact assessment.
K'Oyoo claimed the rule that “a new factory be built 40km from existing ones” was bent in favour of Kibos. “I want Nema officials, education and security authorities summoned in Parliament for questioning.”
He said residents opposed the establishment of the firm, but environment authorities ignored their views. He wants the factory punished for violating laws and demanded that it be investigated over poor working conditions for employees and the influx of Asian labourers.
“You can’t bend laws for a few individuals at the expense of thousands of people, just because they have money and influence in government,” he said. “I have no problem with the company. But they must stop polluting the environment. Our people are seriously suffering. It is the company to move out if it cannot work within the laws to protect the wellbeing of locals.”
On the planned establishment of a power generation plant by the company's owners, K'Oyoo said a proper feasibility study and public engagement must first take place.