The National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) through a letter has ordered the immediate closure of the dumpsite in Kamwangi town citing pollution and degradation of the environment.
The Gatundu North Sub-County director of environment Madam Beatrice Mueni said that the necessary authorities have been consulted to make the move after the Sub-County government ignored 7 notices to restore order at the dumpsite.
Mueni who was speaking from her office in Kamwangi on Monday after the closure said that the Sub-County government has been operating an open dumping site facility. She also added that they had failed to undertake an environmental impact assessment where members of the public were supposed to be consulted on the project as stipulated in law.
"The situation exposes residents of Kamwangi to health hazards. Every Kenyan is guarded by the constitution giving them the right to have a clean and healthy environment and this is where my docket lies," she said.
Mueni asked the county government to stop further disposal of waste at the facility until NEMA issues an Environmental Impact Assesment license.
"Legal action will be taken against any official from the county government for failure to comply. I kindly ask the local county executive member for urban development to submit a letter of commitment to abide by the requirements within 7 days," she ordered.
Mueni said the step would ensure that county government departments paid the necessary attention to the environment. The residents were also advised to find other means of disposing their litter until the site is opened again by NEMA.