The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has undertaken to conduct further assessment to determine whether the AVOPRO Limited had breached its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) license conditions.
AVOPRO Limited, an avocado Factory in Muthiti, Mwea West Sub county, in a petition by residents to the County Assembly of Kirinyaga is accused of discharging untreated effluent into River Murangu, a vital water source for hundreds of households and farms in the area.
NEMA officials, who appeared before the County Assembly of Kirinyaga Committee on Environment, Water and Natural Resources for a follow–up hearing, led by the Regional Director, Parnwell Simitu, and the County Director of Environment at NEMA, Kanani Wanjohi, confirmed that an environmental audit had been conducted at the facility and a report received in their office in the month of January, 2025, however, they will redo assessment to determine whether the company is adhering to all conditions as per the EIA license issued to them.
During the hearing the committee, chaired by Mukure ward Member of County Assembly (MCA), Timothy Kariuki, questioned the company’s compliance with environmental regulations and demanded clarity on the measures taken to manage and treat industrial waste.
In response, company representatives led by the General Manager, Mwangi Njiru, maintained that the firm operates within the required environmental standards, noting that they have engaged the services of three companies to transport solid waste and effluent to gazetted waste disposal sites in Murang’a and Embu counties.
They confirmed that a concern has been raised with them over the disposal of water from cleaning of industrial use equipment but they have since addressed the matter.
They pledged full cooperation with both the County Assembly and NEMA in addressing the concerns raised.
AVOPRO further submitted that they are currently in the process of applying for an emission license to comply with air quality regulations and are looking into plans to recycle avocado waste into organic fertilizer.
Chairperson, Timothy Kariuki, emphasized the Assembly’s commitment to ensuring accountability and environmental responsibility calling investors to operate within the law and uphold sustainable practices that protect the communities living around industrial firms.
by Mutai Kipngetich
