London Distillers (Kenya) Limited is staring at an imminent shutdown of its alcohol manufacturing plant after Parliament rejected an independent audit report on toxic emissions and discharge of waste into Athi River.
The Committee on Implementation threw out the report commissioned by the National Environment management Authority (Nema) citing collusion between the agency and London Distillers (LDK).
London Distillers (Kenya) Limited is staring at an imminent shutdown of its alcohol manufacturing plant after Parliament rejected an independent audit report on toxic emissions and discharge of waste into Athi River.
The Committee on Implementation threw out the report commissioned by the National Environment management Authority (Nema) citing collusion between the agency and London Distillers (LDK).
The committee said the report, tabled by Nema Director General Mamo Boru Mamo, had been authored by a firm that is licensed by Nema contrary to a directive that an independent firm without links to the authority be hired to carry out investigations into allegations of pollution by LDK.
The committee last year directed Nema to procure an independent firm to conduct an audit into claims by Erdemann Property Limited, which accused LDK of polluting the environment through toxic emissions and dumping of raw waste into Athi River.
NEMA ordered to present fresh report on pollution by London Distillers
LDK, which manufactures alcoholic drinks, Meakins, Napoleon, Kenya King and Safari brands, has been accused by its neighbour, Erdemann, of polluting the environment. Erdemann petitioned Parliament in 2018 to investigate LDK’s environmental activities. Moitalel Ole Kenta, who chairs the committee, directed Nema to furnish the House with a fresh report within four days failing which Parliament would recommend closure of LDK alcohol plant in Athi River.
“This report is not admissible. You are relying on reports made by LDK to your officers. We had directed that within six months, an independent audit report be carried out by a firm that has no interest in Nema and LDK,” Moitalel Ole Kenta said.
The committee is following up on the implementation of recommendations of the Environment and Natural Resources department which accused the management of the alcoholic manufacturer of failing to comply with the environmental watchdog directives. The report, filed in 2018 and adopted by the House, accused the distiller of failing to put in place the latest technology in the management of waste from its factory. The company employs 1,000 Kenyans, most of them at its Mavoko plant.
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