Entrepreneurs from Mavoko Sub-County have been cautioned against bribing their way into establishing industries thereby posing risks to neighbouring residents.
Speaking to Hivisasa in Athi River town on Saturday, the Sub-County's fire brigade supervisor Duncan Kamatu, said a number of those with investments in the region had established their companies through corruption.
"I take this opportunity to pass a stern warning to all those who intend to invest in Mavoko to follow right procedures so as not to pose security risks to members of the public," said Kamatu.
Kamatu noted that the affected businesses are industrial companies, which need serious and effective environmental impact assessment before the firms are established due to nature of trade they engage in.
He said it was improper to locate industries that deal with high inflammable products, gases and raw materials at the vicinity of residential estates.
Kamatu made this remarks a few hours after an Athi River based pyrolysis plant belonging to Aqualine Distributors Company was consumed by fire on Friday evening.
He questioned legality of the company that recycles used motor vehicle tire to manufacture oil, carbon black and steel metal claiming he had not known of its existence before the fire broke out.
"This is uncalled for, this company did not follow the right procedure for its establishment. As a senior officer, I did not know the existence of the firm until today. I was not even able to properly direct the fire engine to the scene," said Kamatu.
The company's director, Hillary Kitur, said the company had followed all the due processes to acquire registration legal documents.
He said relevant authorities had conducted the environmental impact assessment and the firm has been operating since 2009.
Kamatu said the director might had bribed his ways to get the company's establishment's clearance claiming the law condemns its location.
He said the company's fumes and other waste products were harmful to human health and therefore should not have been located in the middle of residences as it is.
After confirming whether the fire brigade office had cleared the company before commencing operations, Kamatu accused the manager of lying.
Kamatu said the company had indicated it ran a small-scale tyre business thereby paying Sh5,000 but it installed an industrial plant, which required a clearance fee of Sh90,000 from the fire brigade department.