Urgent government action to stop pollution of Tana and Athi rivers

Motion text

THAT, aware that a large population, especially in Tana River, Murang’a, Embu, Kitui, Machakos and Makueni counties depend on Tana and Athi rivers for their livelihood; concerned that industrial, chemical and animal wastes and residual soil continue to find their way into these important rivers thereby seriously polluting them; further concerned that waste from Dandora dumping site is a major pollutant of Athi river; further concerned that the Government response against pollution of rivers has been grossly inadequate; appreciating the provisions of the Environmental Management and Coordination Act, 1999; cognizant that Article 69 (1) (g) of the Constitution obligates the State to eliminate processes and activities likely to endanger the environment; the Senate urges the Government to take immediate steps to stop pollution of Tana and Athi rivers, compel polluters to compensate those affected and further that the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources submits a report to the Senate within six months on specific measures taken to protect the rivers from pollution and compensation of those affected.