Victims of Thange oil spill demand compensation

A man shows a tunnel of oil spillage in Thange village in Kibwezi, Makueni County. [File, Standard]

Victims of the oil spill from Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) in 2015 near River Thange, Kibwezi East, Makueni are demanding compensation from the government.

The leakage impacted river Thange, and the surrounding communities with farmlands, water sources, loss of livestock, and diseases reported.

Although KPC initiated a cleaning exercise by EnvironServ (K) Ltd, for chemical removal in 2016, a visit to the site by The Standard revealed oil traces floating on waters.

“A report compiled by Panafcon Consultants and another economic and social impact assessment firm showed that out of about 1,071 patients whose samples had been taken, 161 had diseases related to liver, stomach which had been caused by oil poisoning elements,” John Mukai, a local championing for the locals told The Standard.

On Tuesday, Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr visited the oil spill area and later held a meeting with the locals where he unveiled an eight-member team to hear grievances.

“This is an injustice to the people of Thange. You can’t say the region is clean yet oil is visible. We have formulated a team that will check on effects of the oil, get views from the locals and then they will submit a report in a month,” Governor Mutula said

The community feels the environment wasn’t thoroughly cleaned and the farms are no longer useful.

“I have since lost most of my family members. We are unable to farm. We are staring at danger of lack of food since when we plant crops they are dry or others experience stunted growth,” Jackson Muland, a local said.

David Syala, 70, said that before the incident he was a renowned bee farmer. Ho however said that the bees have since been pushed out by unfavorable conditions.

To check on their current state of health, locals from more than 10 villages had their blood samples taken for thorough examination some weeks ago.  

“Oil has damaging effects on body organs such as the liver, and kidney due to various constituents and that is why we are here to check on the effects so far,” Dr. Antony Mubisi, a physician said during an examination exercise.