River Thange waters in Makueni County were polluted four years after an oil spill.
A report commissioned by Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) and undertaken by SGS Kenya Ltd has advised farmers not to use water from the river for irrigation purposes considering its level of pollution.
The report released on Friday, revealed that there is a significant amount of total petroleum hydrocarbons (Tph), which makes it dangerous for crops to be sustained.
“The trench water samples still have traces of hydrocarbons exceeding the Dutch guideline limits,” reads the report in part.
Makueni County Commissioner Mohammed Maalim confirmed that the ban is still in place.
He warned farmers from the six villages against using the water until they are given okay to do so.
“The ban (on farming along the river) is still in place until studies show that the area is safe," Maalim said.
He addressed the press in his office on Friday.
Over years, farmers within the region have been lamenting about the water crisis.
They have been urging the government to give them a long lasting solution after the water was declared unfit for use.
The locals will have to wait longer before they use the water for irrigation, among other purposes.