NAIROBI- Members of the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Environment Forestry and Mining have assured the people of North Eastern Kenya that the House Team will be carrying out a serious inquiry into the allegations of dumping toxic and nuclear waste in six Sub Counties in the region.

The lawmakers led by Committee Chairperson Hon. Vincent Musyoka (Mwala) made the decision following a memorandum that was presented today by Wajir South MP, Adow Aden Mohammed who urged the Committee to take up the matter which is now linked to increased cases of oesophagus cancer in the region.

The Sub-counties are in Wajir County and also parts of Garissa and Marsabit Counties.

“Hon. Members, the dumping of this waste in our region has brought severe environmental and health consequences for Wajir County, the contamination of soil and water sources has led to degradation of the local ecosystem affecting agriculture and livestock which are the backbone of the economy there”, Hon. Adow said.

“This memorandum comes from a report of an inquiry conducted by a joint Committee from the County Assembly of Wajir, it comprises several County Assembly Committees; Water, Energy, Environment and National Resources and that of Medical Services Public Health and Sanitation.

Members of the National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Environment Forestry and Mining have assured the people of North Eastern Kenya that the House Team will be carrying out a serious inquiry into the allegations of dumping toxic and nuclear waste in six Sub Counties in… pic.twitter.com/BrfoW8ojNM

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They conducted a fact-finding tour across the six Sub-Counties of Wajir, interviewed locals who witnessed the dumping or have knowledge of the same, it was reported that the wastes were locked in shipping containers and burried deep underground”, he added.

The Hon. Member who raised the issue in Parliament through a request of a statement on 18th of April 2024 called on the Committee to save the lives of the people of Northern Kenya by doing thorough inquiry to unravel those who did it and the kind of nuclear wastes that were burried there.

The Committee also heard from Garrissa County Governor, Nathif Jama Adam who promised to avail a detailed report on the matter. Governor Nathif however pointed out to the Committee that there have been increased cases of Cancer in the region.

“Hon. Members, a report from Garissa County Cancer center shows that we have recorded over 2,400 cases of oesophagus cancer, this is the largest cancer facility in Garrissa that also covers the larger northern region and patients from parts of Somalia, this is a regional hub, what we have been told here, if we were to analyse, most of the cases are coming from the rural parts of our counties, it explains why we have an increase in Cancer cases”.

He added, “It is an indication that these wastes were dumped there. It’s an issue that has haunted the people of Northern Kenya for many years, we want proper investigation, this is injustice that the Government has ignored”.

The two leaders, Adow and Governor Nathif consequently called on the Committee to invite Hon. Cyrus Jirongo (former MP Lugari as a person of interest, to give more insights since he spoke on the issue from an informed perspective, live and national television.

The Committee termed this a global debate that can attract global scientific research that can link the cancer cases in the region to the alleged dumped wastes.

Committee Chair Hon Musyoka assured Hon. Adow and Governor Nathif that the Committee will be handling the matter with the much needed seriousness to its conclusion.

“We are going to amplify this matter and I believe its progress will save lives”, he said.

His Vice Chairperson Hon. Charles Kamuren called on the Committee to identify all persons of interest both inside and outside Government from the 90’s when it happened to appear and share what they might be knowing.

Marsabit Governer who did not appear to share his views on the same will now appear on a later date together with his counterpart from Garissa who will be providing additional information.