Residents of Mikindani estate can finally enjoy fresh air after eight years of inhaling polluted air owing to an illegal dumpsite within the estate. Having had enough of it, Rebecca – one of the residents – on 26th July 2018, lodged a complaint with the Commission relating to the illegal dumping and disposal of hazardous waste on a plot within their residential area. She told the Commission that the residents had raised concerns over the same with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Mombasa Office, the then Mombasa Municipal Council and the Ministry of Environment among other agencies, but no action had been taken eight years down the line.
The Commission immediately wrote to the NEMA County Director of Environment inquiring into the issues raised by the complainant. Officials from the Commission and NEMA visited the site on 22nd February 2019 to ascertain the veracity of the issues raised. The complainant was vindicated, and NEMA issued a seven-day notice for the closure of the dumpsite and commencement of restoration efforts. Rebecca wrote a letter to the Commission dated 9th March 2019 informing the Commission that the dumpsite was closed as directed.
