By Gitonga Mukindia
Hotels along river Ewaso Nyiro risk closure if they will not desist from directing effluent into the river. This is according to National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) board Chairman John Konchellah.
Speaking at Isiolo town when he visited NEMA offices, Konchellah, said that they have identified a number of hotels involved in polluting the river and issued restriction orders and if they defy the orders they will be closed down.
He also cited soil erosion especially in Oldonyiro ward, waste management, charcoal burning, encroachment along river Ewaso Nyiro riparian by sand harvesters and invasive species like prosopis in landscapes of isiolo as the other major environmental challenges facing Isiolo county.
On the issue of sand harvesting along river Ewaso Nyiro, Konchellah noted that it was going overboard and this could dry the river affecting the ecosystem.
“We have agreed with the county commissioner and the county government that the sand harvesting is going to be controlled in that river. We cannot allow our environment to be degraded in the name of looking for daily bread,” Konchellah said.
There are thousands of young people who harvest sand at the riverbank at Archers post in Isiolo and Samburi East.
They have been demanding the county governments in both counties to come up with a project that will absorb the group, if the sand harvesting will be controlled.
During the dry seasons, the river is always dry because there is no much sand to old water any longer.
Calls have been made by lobby groups to come up with options by the government to save the river.
On the issue of plastic materials, Konchellah said that the problem has been persistent in Moyale gateway, in Marsabit county, where they have been finding their way to Kenya.
“We are heade to that place so that we can open an office there and increase the number of staff to deal with that. We cannot allow our country to be a dump site for plastic materials,” Konchellah said.
