Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o has called for accountability from Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) following a fuel spill that contaminated River Nyando and the surrounding environment in Muhoroni Sub-County, Kisumu County.
The petroleum spillage, which occurred on Thursday, was attributed to a suspected pipeline burst near the Railway Bridge in Muhoroni affecting locals living around the Omanyi-Adegra neighbourhood.
While emergency teams were dispatched to contain and clean up the spill, petroleum traces had already reached the River Nyando River, raising concerns over public health, environmental safety and the livelihoods of communities that depend on the river.
In a statement issued on Friday, Prof. Nyong’o described the incident as serious environmental degradation, causing devastating environmental and health consequences for residents and the surrounding ecosystem.
“The accidental fuel spill into River Nyando and its environs in Muhoroni poses serious risks to public health, the environment, livelihoods, and critical national infrastructure,” he stated.
Adegra and Omanyi villages are agriculturally productive areas, where farmers rely heavily on water from River Nyando to cultivate sugarcane, maize, tomatoes, kale and cowpeas.
With the contamination, residents now risk facing long-term effects like widespread vegetation loss and potential closure of boreholes and wells due to water pollution.
Officials from KPC blamed deliberate interference with the pipeline infrastructure. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) have since launched investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the spill.
Nyong’o urged the investigating agencies to conduct speedy, thorough, impartial and timely enquiries without prejudging the outcome.
“I urge the relevant agencies to establish the facts expeditiously, professionally, and impartially, without prejudging the outcome, and ensure accountability where wrongdoing is established,” he stated.
The governor added, “Perpetrators must face the law, while identified weaknesses in infrastructure protection, operations, and emergency response must be corrected promptly.”
According to the governor, responsible parties must be pushed to fulfil their obligations where liability is established.
The county boss also called on state agencies to undertake immediate containment, clean-up, environmental assessments and remediation measures to restore the affected areas.
“The extent of contamination and risks to water sources, ecosystems, public health, and livelihoods must be established, with clear public guidance on precautionary measures,” he stated.
Further, he pushed for justice for the affected families by ensuring a speedy and transparent assessment and compensation process.
“All affected individuals, households, farmers, businesses and other parties must receive fair and appropriate compensation for verified losses in accordance with the law,” Prof. Nyong’o stated.
The governor emphasised that protecting residents, natural resources and future generations requires decisive, lawful and transparent action, citing Article 42 of Kenya’s Constitution, which guarantees every person the right to a clean and healthy environment.
The incident occurred barely a month after a KPC technician died and three others were injured following a petroleum product spill during routine maintenance in Kibigori Sub-location, Muhoroni Sub-county.
Nyong’o proposed stronger pipeline safety measures, including enhanced surveillance, routine integrity inspections, detection of unauthorised interference, prompt reporting, and coordinated emergency response.
By Robert Ojwang’
