NEMA Shuts Down Chemical Factory in Mlolongo Over Illegal Waste Discharge into Nairobi River

By Andrew Mbuva.

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has shut down Shreeji Chemicals Ltd in Mlolongo following a surprise crackdown on industries discharging untreated waste into the Nairobi River system.

Three directors of the company were arrested after inspectors discovered the facility releasing untreated chemical waste and industrial effluent into the environment.

NEMA Director General Mamo B. Mamo stated that the company had violated environmental regulations and would face prosecution in court. He further revealed that NEMA officers had initially been denied access to the premises—an act that contravenes the Environmental Management and Coordination Act.

During the same operation, another chemical company in the area was issued with a seven-day compliance notice. NEMA warned that failure to meet environmental standards within the stipulated period would result in closure and legal action.

Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Deborah Barasa, who participated in the inspection, warned that the government would take firm action against all companies polluting Nairobi’s rivers.

“I have directed NEMA to conduct rapid, coordinated, and comprehensive inspections of all facilities discharging waste into our rivers and streams. This exercise will be rigorous, transparent, and decisive,” she said.

Barasa noted that although more than 100 facilities were inspected last year and some had installed effluent treatment systems, many remained non-compliant.

She outlined key violations that could lead to closure, including operating without proper waste treatment systems, open burning of waste (banned under the Air Quality Regulations 2024), failure to segregate waste at source in violation of the Sustainable Waste Management Act 2022, use of banned plastic bags (prohibited since 2017), and lack of valid emission licenses and proper chemical registration.

She emphasized that encroachment on rivers and degradation of wetlands continues to threaten ecosystems, adding that strict enforcement of environmental restoration laws will be upheld.

“The era of ‘pollute now, pay later’ is over. Compliance is not optional; it is both a legal and moral obligation,” Barasa declared.

The crackdown marks renewed government efforts to restore the Nairobi River, which has long suffered from industrial pollution, sewage discharge, and solid waste dumping.

Authorities say enforcement operations will continue nationwide, targeting non-compliant facilities for immediate closure and prosecution.