Distiller makes changes to address air pollution concerns

Environment experts have cleared an alcohol manufacturing firm that had been accused of pollution.

The team from the National Environment Management Authority (Nema), led by the agency’s chief researcher Francis Iganga and accompanied by area MP Patrick Makau, toured the factory  eight months after directing its management to make several changes.

The factory has been at loggerheads with residents of the neighbouring Great Wall Gardens estate in Athi River, who wrote to Nema complaining that the distiller was polluting the environment.

The firm’s owner, Mohan Galot, denied the claims and countered that the estate was built in an industrial zone and should therefore be brought down.

A directive by Nema that the factory ceases operations was issued on February 6, last year, but was not effected.

After yesterday’s visit, the Nema team announced that the factory had made major changes to address the residents’ concerns.

“We have established that numerous changes have been done to prevent pollution,” said Mr Iganga.

He directed that the factory prepares a report on how it handled its waste.

Sofi Mutemi, who is in charge of the Machakos Nema office, said they would monitor the factory to make sure it acquired a waste handling license.

“Our idea was not to close down the factory, but to accommodate everybody, including the concerns of estate residents,” she said.