Governor Jackson Mandago of Uasin Gishu has expressed alarm over increased destruction and pollution of the environment in the North Rift region.
He also cited the dumping of toxic clinical waste.
Mandago warned hospitals in Eldoret on Friday to stop careless disposal of clinical waste or risk having their licenses withdrawn.
The governor said some public and private hospitals were dumping dangerous waste in rivers and other areas used by public. He said hospitals must instal incinerators or use those at other facilities instead of putting lives at risk.
“Hospital waste is very dangerous. It's highly poisonous and toxic and we cannot allow careless dumping in the town." Mandago said. He said it cannot be dumped at regular landfills.
Incinerators are available at several facilities and they should be used to destroy all waste, he said. Mandago said a team would inspect all health facilities to find out how they dump waste.
On Saturdy Mandago cited increased tree felling and general pollution of the environment, disrupting rainfall patterns and causing other health-related risks.
The governor said Kenyans will pay heavily if they do not invest in environmental protection especially planting trees to increase the forest cover and reduction of air and water pollution.
“We have already seen the effects of environmental destruction through the change in rainfall patterns, flooding and rising lakes," Mandago said.
He said human beings were damaging the environment and would pay heavily with effects, including reduced food production.
“As human beings if we don’t change our behaviour, Mother Nature is unforgiving and we will pay dearly," he said.
He said counties should increase planting of trees to enable the country attain the 10 per cent tree cover within few years.
Uasin Gishu residents will plant more than one million trees when the long rains begin," the governor said.
(Edited by V. Graham)
