Residents of Miasenyi Taita Taveta County have raised concerns over health and environmental impact caused by oil spillage in the area in December.

They lamented that since the Mombasa-Narobi pipeline burst on 17th December, 36 people have been reported to suffer from severe headaches, heightened asthma cases and coughing while trees are weathering due to exposure from crude oil. They are now calling on Kenya pipeline to compensate them.

Addressing residents when assessing the situation, Governor John Mruttu called upon mining experts to carry out a thorough exercise to ascertain how far the oil has seeped into the soil.

The governor also added that the officers should refill the open pits as they pose a threat to people's lives and animals.

Security was beefed up during the incident to keep residents away from the oil spill and they were also warned against lighting fires during the three week's exercise of seeping oil from the ground.

" We didn't cook for a whole month, the officers facilitated our children with soda and bread while adults were forced to eat in hotels," said Jane Matano a resident.