The Export Processing Zone Authority on Sunday suspended the licence that allowed London Distillers to empty effluent into its sewer line.
The authority accused the Athi-River based distiller of contravening the agreement by discharging raw waste to the sewer line.
The discharged of untreated effluent into the EPZA line has put the authority on the receiving end with the National Environmental Management Authority accusing it polluting Nairobi River.
EPZA insisted the firms discharging untreated effluent were unknown to the authority and therefore not located within its zone.
In the letter to London Distillers, EPZA said it had confirmed the company was discharging raw effluent to the sewer line.
“We wish to inform you that we are in possession of test reports from various reputable laboratories and other evidence indicating that the effluent being discharged from your distillery to the public sewer line owned by this authority is hazardous, both to human beings, the environment and living organisms,” the letter signed by EPZA acting CEO George Makateto reads.
It said London Distillers is non-EPZA industry and therefore obliged to treat the effluent before discharging it into the sewer line.
“Be informed that any application you make for reconnection will only be reconsidered after you fully comply with the acceptable industrial standards for effluent treatment and the application shall be placed before the EPZA board for approval,” Makateto said.
London Distillers has been embroiled in a dispute with residents of Great Wall Gardens, owned by Erdermann Property Ltd, over claims of emptying toxic waste in Athi River.
The National Assembly's Committee on Environment and National Resources in a 2018 report gave London Distillers six months to put in place technology for waste management or stop operations.
The committee directed the distiller to maintain high environmental standards that will ensure safe and healthy disposal of waste.
Last month the committee expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace at which Nema was implementing its recommendations.
The MPs threatened to sanction an independent probe to ascertain complaints of environmental pollution by the distiller.
Nema last month raided the EPZA in Athi-River over claims of discharging untreated effluent into Nairobi River.
EPZA chairman Paul Gicheru criticised Nema for the raid, saying firms polluting the river had illegal connections to the public sewer line.
Gicheru said the crackdown was arbitrary and had the potential of bringing down the economy and driving away investors. He said the firms employ thousands of people.
edited by peter obuya
