All industries in Nakuru County will undergo a serious audit of emissions to avert harmful metals making their way into Lakes within Nakuru.

This was revealed on Wednesday by Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui while responding to a report that fish from Lake Nakuru are unfit for Human consumption due to the presence of heavy harmful metals.

He stated that the County Government was committed towards implementing the caution issued by the national government on the same.

“Recent reports on fish in Lake Nakuru unfit to consume we will want to implement the caution seriously. We are going to do a serious audit of emissions coming from our industries to avert harmful   metals making into our lakes” said Kinyanjui.

He was however quick to note that, “We cannot condemn a whole lake just because of the activities of a few individuals.”

Kinyanjui also called on Nakuru residents to take personal responsibility on matters of sanitation and environment conservation.

In January, the government warned Kenyans against consuming fish harvested in Lake Nakuru.

This after research carried out by Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KEMFRI) showed that the fish from Lake Nakuru contained dangerous chemicals.

The Ministry of Agriculture issued the warning and asked the County Government of Nakuru to ban fishing in the lake.

Agriculture Chief Administrative Secretary Lina Chebii Kilimo, while addressing the press on Tuesday, January 26 in Naivasha, noted that the chemicals were caused by pollution of the lake.

Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui on Wednesday signed three crucial bills into law.

They include Nakuru county climate change Bill, Nakuru Water and sanitation Bill and Nakuru Waste and management Bill 2020.

Addressing after signing the Bills into Law, Governor Kinyanjui lauded the assembly for the Bills touching which he said touches on key sectors.

He noted that the Bill on climate change will unlock a lot of funding from partners who had cited the need for the law to be in place before engaging the County government.

“In the past the county has been on the receiving end with partners citing the lack of crucial laws in place when it comes to matters of environment and climate change. But with the laws in place now more funding will be unlocked by partners” he said.

With the laws now in place, Kinyanjui added that there was now a need for collaboration on sensitizing the public.

Sentiments echoed by Deputy Governor Dr.Erick Korir who cited that with proper implementation, the three laws will make Nakuru a better place.

On his part Nakuru County assembly speaker Joel Kairu lauded the committee on the environment for their dedication.

Kairu called for sensitization of the public on the law before implementation takes place.

“I want to commend the Committee on Environment for the role they played. Implementation of the laws is key, but we need to also sensitize our people on the same. As a legislative arm, we shall ensure positive things for the people of Nakuru” said Kairu.

Maella MCA Gathariki Kamanu who is also the Chair Water,Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee at the county assembly of Nakuru noted the gap in the World Bank funded projects.

He cited scenarios where the projects have been focusing on a few wards, adding that with the newly signed laws the approach will now be in all the 55 Wards.

“World bank funded projects there is a gap as they focus on a few wards. But with the three laws in place, the approach will now be in all the 55 wards. On the issue of waste management I now believe there will be enforcement but we also need to capitalize on capacity building and awareness before enforcing” said MCA Kamanu.

Kamanu while noting that the county has invested millions in the water sector but the people do not get value for the same due to poor management, said with the new laws in place the issue will be addressed through proper management of projects.

Nakuru County Chief Officer Environment Kiogora Muriithi reiterated the County Government’s Commitment towards ensuring residents are involved in matters environment

He pointed out that the Climate change law will help county get donors on climate change to help residents who are affected.

“We will now start thinking how to invest in solar to pump water so as to aid locals on high power tariffs” said Kiogora.

Kenya Association of Manufacturers Nakuru Chair Peris Mbuthia called for the need for partnership towards solid waste management.

 

Home team London FC are the winners of the 6th Edition of #KOT5Aside which was held in Nakuru over the weekend.

The Nakuru based club emerged victorious after beating Afrohemian from Nakuru 2-0 in a hotly contested final.

London walked away with Ksh. 100, 000 courtesy of Odibets while Afroheamian won Ksh. 60, 000 as FUsball Arena Stars took home Ksh. 40, 000 after finishing third.

The tournament that attracted 16 teams saw all the eight teams from Nairobi eliminated before the semis with four Nakuru clubs advancing to the final.

Tournament organizer and founder Aleckie Ronald said he was pleased with how the tournament has grown.

“It’s almost three years since we started this tournament and I am really proud of how we’ve grown, we can only get better, I want to thank Odibets for their support since the tournament started, they’ve played a huge role in our growth,” Ronald remarked.

Story by Capital FM