Mombasa: The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) today embarked on a remediation and restoration initiative in Uhuru Owino, an area that has long suffered from the effects of lead poisoning. However, the process has sparked mixed reactions from different stakeholders, highlighting the complex nature of environmental justice and community engagement.
According to Kenya News Agency, the area Member of Parliament Badi Twalib voiced his support for Activist Phyllis Omido of the Centre for Justice Governance and Environmental Action (CJGEA), who is opposing the NEMA process and whose legal battle led to a Sh1.3 billion compensation award for the affected residents. Twalib stated that he brought the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health and Environment for a fact-finding mission in the settlement from evidence given by the Activist. The Environment Committee recommended soil restoration due to contamination that caused severe health issues, including death, skin diseases, loss of sight, and infertility. Twalib urged the government to release the Sh1.3 billion, along with an additional Sh700 million to CJGEA to facilitate the cleanup. ‘Phyllis has kept me informed every step of the way, unlike NEMA, which is suddenly appearing after years of inaction. The government must stand by its people and ensure justice for the residents of Uhuru Owino,’ stat
ed the Legislator.
On the other hand, the area’s Member of the County Assembly (MCA) Jacktone Madialo defended NEMA’s efforts, urging residents to support and collaborate with the organization. ‘NEMA needs to certify the area as habitable so that the Mombasa County Government can proceed with land subdivision and the issuance of title deeds,’ he explained.
Phyllis Omido, founder of CJGEA, strongly criticized NEMA for its handling of the crisis, highlighting that the Supreme Court found NEMA bearing the largest portion of responsibility for the disaster. She condemned the authority for changing the venue of a public meeting from Uhuru Owino to Mataa ya Ndege, near a GSU camp, accusing them of attempting to intimidate residents. ‘This is yet another example of how NEMA disregards the people it is supposed to protect,’ she stated.
Defending its actions, NEMA’s Director of Compliance Robert Orina refuted claims that the agency intended to evict residents, dismissing such reports as propaganda. ‘We have fully complied with the court ruling,’ he asserted. He further outlined a three-step approach: first, the creation of legal guidelines for handling cases like Uhuru Owino; second, an expert task force to assess the extent of pollution, including soil, water, and plant contamination; and third, a comprehensive remediation and restoration plan. ‘Without NEMA certifying that the area is suitable for human habitation, no government projects, including schools and affordable housing,’ he cautioned.
Samuel Obwaka, a resident of Uhuru Owino, expressed gratitude for NEMA’s visit and called for swift action. ‘We need this process to be completed so that we can finally get our title deeds and access government projects like schools. I also urge my fellow residents and Phyllis Omido to cooperate with NEMA,’ he said.