When Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries Limited was established in 2008, Kisumu residents had high hopes of employment and improved living standards after the collapse of Miwani Sugar Company.
However, this has not been the case.
Today, their hopes remain far from reality as they cry foul over massive pollution from the sugar miller.
From effluent discharges directly into River Kibos, to noise and air pollution, the list of environmental effects of the company is endless.
River Kibos is a source of water for thousands of locals as well as their animals.
The hardest hit institutions are Kibos
Prison, Kibos School for the Blind and Kibos Primary School. Residents now regret the company's existence.
Magnam Environmental Network chairman Michael Nyaguti said residents are suffering from constant pollution.
A spot check by the Star on River Kibos last week
established a highly polluted river with its waters turned to black.
Pipes discharging raw effluents into the river are placed beneath the water surface with a CCTV camera mounted to monitor the process.
Residents in Kisumu East and Muhoroni said there is a constant emission of raw effluent into River Kibos.
Ruth Otieno, a resident, said they have been suffering for long.
“The company's raw effluent discharges into the river make it unfit for domestic use,” she said.
They said the water also has a pungent smell.
Mustapha Hamisi blamed the county and national governments for failing to tackle the issue.
Abdala Ramadhan, a 72-year-old who has been living in Kibos since birth, said they have been greatly undermined and their rights violated for a long time.
Calls made to the factory's chairman
Raju Chanan went unanswered.
He also did not respond to text messages when contacted.
Nema threat
Last year, the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) threatened to suspend all the company's operations for violating environmental laws.
The authority said they have received many complaints from Kibos residents and the county government.
Raju denied the allegations. He confirmed there was a spillage but it was stopped immediately. Chanan said no other complaint had been raised.
On Monday, Environment CS Keriako Tobiko warned industries against discharging waste into rivers.
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He said stern action will be taken and those involved arrested and prosecuted.
Muhoroni MP Onyango Koyoo accused the company of poor compliance with environmental regulations.
He wants the company to stop emptying effluent into the river which is the main source of water for thousands of people.
Koyoo questioned how the owners were allowed to establish the industry without a proper environmental impact assessment.
The lawmaker told the government to take action against the firm for violating environmental laws.
“You cannot bend laws for few individuals at the expense of thousands of people just because they have money and influence in government,” he said.
Investigations
Koyoo also wants the company to be investigated over poor working conditions of employees and the influx of Asian labourers.
He said the parliamentary Committee on Labour and Social Security will visit the area to ascertain the level of interference with learning at the adjacent Kibos School for the Blind, a national institution.
“I have no problem with the company. But they must stop polluting the environment. Our people are seriously suffering,” he said.
He wants CSs Amina Mohamed (Education) and Fred Matiang’i (Interior) to take swift action on the matter.
They should make impromptu-visit for a fact-finding mission for further action," the lawmaker said.
The MP gave a three-month ultimatum to the company to put in place pollution mitigation measures or relocate.
“You either shape up or ship out. It is the company to move out if they cannot work within the laws to protect the well-being of locals,” Koyoo said.
He added that any industries being established in an area should better the lives of locals and not hurt them.
On the planned establishment of a power generation plant by the company's owners, Koyoo said a proper feasibility study and public engagement must first be undertaken.
He claimed that the rule was bent when Kibos was being built as the law requires that a company should be established 40km away from existing ones.
Muhoroni host Chemelil, Miwani and Muhoroni sugar companies which are all less than 30km from Kibos company.