Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has been sentenced to six months in prison for contempt of court after failing to follow a court order issued against her. The governor, along with the CEO of Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Company, was given the option to serve the jail term or pay a Ksh 2 million fine for their involvement in the illegal disposal of waste into Lake Nakuru.
The ruling came from Justice Antony Omwayo of the Environment and Land Division, who determined that both the governor and the CEO had disregarded a court order issued on September 26 of the previous year. This order had directed them to immediately stop the unlawful waste disposal into the lake.
The original court decision had imposed a permanent ban on the governor and CEO from allowing waste to be disposed of in the Lake Nakuru Basin, following a legal action by Baboon Project Kenya, an NGO. This organization had sought the court’s intervention to hold the officials accountable for their actions.
The NGO’s application stated, “Susan Kihika, in her capacity as the Governor, or any officer, agent, or servant of the County Government of Nakuru, should be sent to prison for up to six months for failing to comply with the court order issued on 26th September 2024.”
The petitioners argued that the continued waste disposal by the county government was harming wildlife and the environment. They highlighted how the illegal disposal of industrial waste was causing severe damage to the Lake Nakuru National Park, which is home to various endangered species, including baboons that drink from the lake.
The court case also pointed out that both the county government and the water and sanitation company, along with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), were guilty of neglecting their responsibility to protect the environment and allow such waste to be dumped into the lake.
To hold the county accountable for the pollution, Baboon Project Kenya launched an online petition to gather digital signatures. The petition emphasized the global conservation significance of Lake Nakuru, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Ramsar wetland of international importance.
The petition read, “We, Baboon Project Kenya, are extremely concerned about the ongoing pollution of Lake Nakuru National Park due to the continuous sewerage discharge from the County Government of Nakuru. This park is more than just a natural beauty; it is a sanctuary for critically endangered rhinos and a vital habitat for many other species. Its global conservation importance is immense, recognized by UNESCO and the Ramsar Convention.”
The petition also warned that the pollution caused by the sewage discharge could cause irreversible damage to this delicate ecosystem, threatening the survival of its rich biodiversity. The park plays a crucial role in conservation, offering a protected environment for species that cannot survive elsewhere.
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