Uasin Gishu Moves to Contain Chemical Spill as Residents Warned Against River Water Use
The facility, serving Burnt Forest and parts of Kesses, has been shut down to prevent any risk of contaminated water entering the supply system.
The samples were taken for detailed laboratory tests to determine the full extent and potential impact of the spill. Photo/Courtesy.
By Ruth Sang
Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii has issued an update following preliminary assessments in relation to the chemical spillage reported in the Matharu area. According to the latest findings, the truck involved in the incident was transporting a container of goods containing natural rubber latex in its primary form at the time it overturned.
Following the discovery, county officials began emergency mitigation attempts to prevent further spread of the substance into the surrounding river system. Governor Bii confirmed that machinery has been deployed with the intent of creating a containment trench to block any additional seepage from moving downstream into communities.
Special teams that included Public Health officers, personnel from Eldowas, and experts from NEMA are already on the ground collecting samples. The samples were taken for detailed laboratory tests to determine the full extent and potential impact of the spill.
People living downstream from the contaminated part of the river were called on to take extreme precautions. The Governor strongly recommended that the public avoid using water from the affected river for drinking, domestic consumption, livestock, and farming until a formal advisory is issued.
As a further precaution, the county has temporarily shut down the Nabkoi water treatment plant. The facility, serving Burnt Forest and parts of Kesses, has been shut down to prevent any risk of contaminated water entering the supply system.
On his part, Governor Bii insisted that the measures being taken were a means of protecting public health while investigations and environmental assessments continue.
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