Poisoned skies of Transmara where residents risk going blind

Water flows from a heap of Transmara Sugar Company bagasse in Narok County. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

Olbungai said in 2020 after mass protests as a result of excess pollution, the factory bought an electrostatic precipitator to trap and remove the dust particles from being released into the air but only worked for four months.

Dr Simon Wasechere, the Deputy Secretary General of the Kenya National Federation of Sugarcane Farmers said many sugar companies are unable to put in place bagasse management measures.

He said that bagasse has high levels of cellulose which makes it difficult to decompose easily, saying every year, sugar companies generate at least 2.5metric tonnes of bagasse.

"When bagasse is released into the river, it lowers the water Ph which in turn affects the conductivity of the water, temperature, the biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD)," explained Wasechere.

He warns if one inhales the dust ashes that are laced with harmful chemicals, they risk getting chest and tract infections since Sulphur dioxide causes coughing, mucus secretion and aggravates conditions such as asthma and chronic bronchitis.

"When Sulphur dioxide combines with water and air, it forms sulphuric acid, which is the main component of acid rain. The acid rain can cause deforestation, acidify waterways to the detriment of aquatic life and corrode building materials and paints," explained Wasechere.

However, the company, in a letter defended itself. "We would like to equivocally affirm that Transmara Sugar is a responsible investor in Kenya keen on developing the region economically, socially and environmentally within the armpits of the laws of Kenya," stated Samuel Kalu, the firm's corporate and legal manager.

His letter dated October 31, further read: "Transmara Sugar has secured all licenses enabling it to operate in Kenya and strives to comply with all license conditions. We, therefore, wish to reaffirm our commitment to the Transmara region and its people as well as our compliance to all rules and regulations governing the sugar industry."

Mr Kalu warned that they will seek legal redress if the story is published.

"We thus reserve the right to pursue legal actions against any allegations made to the contrary," said Kalu.

Robert Orina, the Chief Enforcement Officer at National Environment Management Authority (Nema) said Transmara Sugar is in compliance with the legal requirements for running a sugar factory but the factory has been having a challenge in terms of pollution control.

"When they started, they had a lot of challenges in effluent management and as a result, Nema took enforcement actions, including the closure of the facility. At one time, the release of effluent into the environment caused the death of fish at a nearby river," said the official.

Orina said the factory generates a lot of bagasse and during the rainy season, it drains into the nearby river.

He further disclosed that at one point, the large heaps of bagasse caused the death of two people after being buried alive. Following the incident, the factory was immediately restricted by Nema from storing large heaps of bagasse at its premises.

"We asked them to install Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP), to trap the dust particles in the air and they did. This year, they installed a waste treatment plant for treating their industrial effluent but not sufficient to manage bagasse from polluting the environment," said Orina

He, however, defended Nema officials against claims of receiving kickbacks from the factory to protect it.