Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua on Tuesday closed down Walker Industries for releasing poisonous chemicals and raw sewage into Athi River.
Addressing the media shortly after a number of officials were arrested, the county chief said that while inspecting the premises, workers did not have on protective gear.
Mutua also said that there has been a pending arrest warrant since March that has not been executed as county officials and others from the national government have been compromised.
“I give the companies that are breaking the law 30 days from today to comply with directives given to them by my Government of Machakos and also by NEMA and other agencies,” he said.
He also put on alert residents of gated communities that are also dumping their toilet sewage into the river.
The governor who is eyeing the presidency come 2022 gave these neighborhoods 45 days to ensure they have waste disposals or recycling units.
He also asked them to disconnect any pipes leading to the river.
“After 45 days, we will have no option but to arrest all the adult residents of these residential compounds and to evacuate the houses in readiness for demolition,” he continued.
“Just because my people downstream in Machakos, Makueni, Taveta, Mombasa and Kilifi counties are poorer than those in Nairobi or Athi River areas, does not mean that they can be poisoned with cancer and other diseases borne down upon them.”
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