Oruba-Siany residents are decrying the spillage of hazardous chemicals from gold-leaching plants in the area.
They are urging the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) to intervene, reporting that their livestock has died after drinking water contaminated with mercury from these plants.
Samwel Juma expressed his worries, highlighting the grave threat the poisonous chemicals pose to the local population and their crops. Titus Otieno shared his concerns, lamenting the lack of action from authorities despite numerous reports filed regarding the issue.
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Otieno further noted that several leaching plants were established without proper public participation, excluding the input and concerns of the local community. This lack of involvement has exacerbated the problem, leaving residents feeling neglected and vulnerable.
Charles Ouma, the chief of the Oruba-Ragana location, confirmed receiving multiple complaints from locals about the toxic chemical spillage. He has since reported these issues to NEMA, emphasizing the dire consequences faced by the community, including the loss of livestock due to contaminated water.
Chief Ouma calls on NEMA to enforce strict regulations on the leaching plants to ensure they operate within safe and legal parameters. The urgent need for intervention is clear, as the ongoing chemical spillage continues to endanger both the environment and the health of Oruba-Siany residents.
This alarming situation underscores the critical need for regulatory bodies to protect communities from industrial pollution. Effective action by NEMA could prevent further harm and restore safety to the affected areas. The residents of Oruba-Siany await decisive measures to address the environmental and health threats posed by the gold-leaching operations in their region.
