LOITOKTOK, Kenya — At a recent consultative forum held in Loitoktok Town, local business owners were called upon to closely acquaint themselves with the regulations governing their operations to avoid legal infringements. The forum, organized by Edwin Lemomo, the Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Kuku Ward, aimed at fostering compliance and environmental stewardship among the business community.
According to Kenya News Agency, the emphasis was on urging business proprietors to contribute to the cleanliness and environmental conservation efforts within Loitoktok. This includes maintaining the cleanliness of the town and caring for the trees planted in and around the area. Lemomo highlighted concerns over roaming livestock in the town, which pose a threat to young trees, and announced that strict measures would be implemented against livestock owners who neglect to control their animals.
Further addressing waste management challenges, Lemomo encouraged the use of a designated 5-acre dumping site for solid waste and the available sewer system for liquid waste disposal from businesses. James Ngugi, Chief Officer in charge of the Department of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change in Kajiado County, echoed the need for compliance, specifically warning livestock owners against letting their animals roam freely. Non-compliant owners face the risk of their animals being confiscated and fined, with unclaimed animals potentially being sold.
Participants at the forum raised concerns regarding the practicality of waste management, citing the distance of the Makaburini dump site from the town and the absence of intermediate waste collection points. The lack of a vehicle for waste collection in Loitoktok was also highlighted, with calls for the restoration of transport services to facilitate better waste management.
On the topic of noise pollution, Ngugi warned that businesses violating noise management guidelines would face legal consequences. To enhance security, business owners were advised to engage security personnel and consider the installation of CCTV cameras within their premises.
The forum concluded with the formation of a plot owners’ committee, tasked with overseeing waste management and maintaining the cleanliness of Loitoktok Town. This initiative marks a collaborative effort between local authorities and the business community to tackle environmental and regulatory challenges, aiming to improve the overall quality of life in Loitoktok.