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Contents

1.0 PREFACE ................................................................................................... 3

1.1 COMMITEE MEMBERSHIP ...................................................................... 3

1.2 Committee Secretariat ........................................................................ 4

1.3. COMMITTEE MANDATES ................................................................... 5

2.0 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................... 8

2.1 BACKGROUND ................................................................................... 10

3.0 COMMITTEE FINDINGS ........................................................................ 11

4.0 Committee Recommendations .......................................................... 13

5.0 PRAYER ................................................................................................... 14

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1.0 PREFACE

1.1 COMMITEE MEMBERSHIP

The committee was constituted on 27th September, 2017 and is comprising

of the following members;

1. Hon. John Otieno Kiasa -Chairman

2. Hon. Joshua Nyabola -Vice Chairperson

3. Hon. Julius Nyambok -Member

4. Hon. Nicholas Ayieta -Member

5. Hon. Jane Kiche -Member

6. Hon. Nancy Anyango -Member

7. Hon. Jeff Ongoro -Member

8. Hon. Joan Ogada -Member

9. Hon. Julius Gaya -Member

10. Hon. Esther Dwallo -Member

11. Hon. Everlyne Otieno -Member

12. Hon. Moris Ogwang -Member

13. Hon. Ellyphalet Osuri -Member

14. Hon. Peter Juma Awuor -Member

15. Hon. Monoflorita Ondiek -Member

16. Hon. Paul Adika -Member

17. Hon. Susan Akoth -Member

18. Hon. Walter Muok -Member

19. Hon. Kenneth Oranga Member

20. Hon.NereahAmondi Member

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21.Hon. Michael Odira -Member

1.2 Committee Secretariat

1. Mr Charles Olela Deputy Clerk

2. Mr Moses Diero Committee clerk

3. Mr Thomas Opere Clerk Assistant

4. Mr Henry Koja Sergeant-At-Arm

5. Mr Vincent Nyamache Hansard

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1.3. COMMITTEE MANDATES

Implementation of specific national government policies on Natural

Resources and Environmental Conservation, including Soil and Water

Conservation and Forestry and control of air pollution, noise

pollution, other public nuisance and outdoor advertising.

Investigate and inquire into all matters relating to the assigned

departments as they may deem necessary, and as may be referred to

them by the County Assembly.

To vet and report on all appointments where the constitution on any

law requires the County Assembly to approve, except those under

Standing Order No. 185.

Make report and recommendations to the County Assembly as often

as possible including recommendation of proposed legislation.

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2.0 INTRODUCTION Water pollution is a global issue and world community is facing worst

results of polluted water. Major sources of water pollution are;

industrialization, discharge of domestic and agriculture wastes,

population growth and urbanization among other causes.

Bacteria, viral and parasitic diseases are spreading through polluted water

and affecting human heath

During production of sugar, large volume of water is used by sugar mills

for processing and uses large amount of waste. If this waste water is

released in the environment before it is treated, it will cause harmful

effect on aquatic life, animals, plants, human being and also change the

soil properties. It is therefore important to treat the waste water before

their disposal.

The treated waste water can be reused in the industry for processing and

can also be used for irrigation since none of the process streams involved

in sugar manufacture generate toxic effluents, and henceforth they can be

used for irrigation at lower concentrations i.e it can be diluted with other

fresh water and be used for irrigation. Treated effluent can reduce the

fresh water demand in various sectors.

Most of the solid waste generated is utilized by other industries ,therefore

solid waste disposal is not a big problem for sugar industries .However

,effluent discharge from sugar mills constitute a number of chemical

pollutants such as oil and grease, carbonate bicarbonate ,nitrite

,phosphate ,in addition to total suspend solids ,volatile solids and scores

of other toxicants.

These pollutants could bring about changes in temperature, humidity,

oxygen supply, stress among other effects.

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In India, many companies normally discharge such on to land or in to

nearby watercourses usually small streams practically without pre-

treatment. Putrefaction of the polluted stream water caused by the heavy

discharge of organic waste, resulting in Odour nuisance near sugar mill

has been a very common phenomenon even in Kenya for example along

river Sare in Awendo in Migori County.

In conclusion, it is not obvious that the waste water disposed by various

sugar milling companies is safe or harmful to the ecological system. It all

depends on individual companies processes. Some companies could be

disposing untreated waste water that is harmful to the environment while

others could be treating their before disposal.

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2.1 BACKGROUND

The Committee on Water, Environment and Natural Resources resolved in a

committee meeting dated 5th July, 2018 to go on a fact finding mission to

Sukari Industries Limited in Ndhiwa Sub County, Homa Bay Kenya based on

a public allegations forwarded through the area Member of County

Assembly (MCA). These allegations included complaint on pollution of both

the air and water (the river Kuja) by the said factory.

The committee went ahead and wrote a letter to the Sukari Industries

Limited on 5th November,2018 to respond to the allegations as per

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND CO-ORDINATION ACT

CHAPTER 387 OF (1999) Revised Edition 2012 Section 42 PART V

Subsection (1)(a-g):

1. Site Assessment Report

2. Environment Screening Report

3. Interviews Report(Community)

4. Application for Environment Impact Assessment License

5. Protection and Conservation of Rivers, Lakes and Wasteland Report

6. Environment Audit Report Reviewed

(See appendix 1)

The company responded by the letter dated 7th November, 2018 which

they informed the committee that there technical team is out for training till

Friday 9th November 2018. (See appendix 2)

This moved the water committee to visit the factory for a fact finding

mission to get what was happening on the ground as per Standing Order

No.191 (5)

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3.0 COMMITTEE FINDINGS The Committee conducted the fact finding mission and the following were

the findings:-

(a) The Sukari Industries Limited generates solid waste bagasse, filter and

liquids, water mixed with sucrose residues from bagasse and smoke

from the chimney.

(b) Effluent discharge in form of water containing sugar is treated in the

Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) by both mechanical and natural process

before it is discharged into a wetland for further cleaning.

(c) The water parameters before discharging are regularly channeled to

make sure that there is no effect on fresh water organisms in the

nearby River Kuja. The water is tested every hour where the P.H. at

the first testing is 8.56mm and at the pond is 7.14mm and fish is

surviving in the pond a confirmation that effluent is not directly

released into the river.

(d) Other than the discharge of liquids from the factory, others such as oil

or grease that still finds their way by default into water channel that

transports the effluent into the ETP are screened and trapped into

tank. (See appendix 3)

(e) There is also an element of air pollution as the factory emissions are

affecting the health of the locals around it.

(f) Currently, the company is investing in a high-tech Leachate treatment

plant aimed at managing any discharge from the accumulated bagasse.

This is to enhance the International Standards of water treatment since

the factory is expanding its capacity.

(g) The committee interacted with the farmers who came to demand their

payment and informed the committee that the factory had helped

them through rural access roads and water from drilled boreholes.

They said that animals are drinking water from river Kuja after the

factory ETP but they have not died because of effluent, hence a

confirmation that the water back to the river is well treated.

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(h) The members of the public confirmed to the committee that there

had been no outbreak of diseases that are related to contamination

hence their economic status had improved because of the factory.

(i) The General Manager informed the committee that they were

working towards improving Sukari Industries Limited to produce 700

tons of sugar which is 40% increase by 2019. He further informed the

committee that the workforce at Sukari Industries Limited was made

up of 95% locals and 5% outsiders.

(j) Before water is channeled back to the river it goes through stones and

ballast for sieving.(see appendix 4)

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4.0 Committee Recommendations 1. The company, being aware of the need for water cycle, should not

pollute the environment or water body because the polluted water

comes back by bio-accumulation through fish caught and consumed

from the river or meat and milk from the animals that drink it.

2. The water treatment standards should be maintained regularly and

environmental checkups and audits done.

3. The Sukari Industries Limited should be vigilant to ensure more and

better waste treatment methods to enhance efficiency in

environmental management.

4. The community and factory should create a community dialogue

forum to engage each other on welfare matters, and further take part

in environmental activities such as tree planting and drilling of

boreholes.

5. The local community should be on the lookout and report any

adverse changes pertaining to water treatment to the factory for

immediate action.

6. The factory should embrace the 3Rs principles (Re-use, Reduce and

Recycle).

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5.0 PRAYER The Committee on Water, Environment and Natural Resources prays that

the House adopts this fact finding report on Sukari Industries Limited.

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APPENDIX 3-SCREENED AND TRAPPED OIL AND GREESE

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APPENDIX 4-STONES AND BALLAST FOR SIEVING

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