A manufacturing company in Athi River has objected the construction of residential apartments near their plant in order to avert a conflict between the industrialists and residents.
London Distillers Kenya Ltd has written to the National Environmental Management Authority ( NEMA ) opposing the proposed construction of the third phase of residential apartments by Greatwall Housing Development.
LDK says the proposed development will impact negatively on the environment as the project site is within a mixed-use zone, adding that there is evidence contained in an Environmental Impact Assesment (EIA) report that having a residential housing project within a zone where a number of industries are located is not desirable.
The distiller which was established over 35 years ago says mixed-use of industrial and residential areas is not a compatible project within such a zone.
The company pointed out that the housing project will require massive water for domestic use, adding that the aquifers are currently over-abstracted thus drilling of more boreholes should not be allowed.
"Apart from the water problem the project site has no sewer line and this will be a major disaster in future if the housing project is allowed," said LDK environmental advisor Mr Benjamin Langwen, adding that LDK being the immediate project affected and project interested party had not been consulted as required by law.
He said the distiller had raised objections on the second phase of the housing development project and for the developer to start phase three of the project before the issues raised were resolved.
"In order to avoid future conflict between LDK and the residents, the proposed residential housing by Erdermann on LR No 12581/13 should be rejected and no licence should be issued," LDK said.
Greatwall which also trades under the name Erdermann Properties Ltd has already built over 600 units at the site which is located off Mombasa-Namanga road interchange in Athi River.
The housing development company has been accusing the distiller of polluting the environment through the emission of gases into the environment.
A motion was debated in the National Assembly and the Committee on Environment took up the matter and recommended certain improvements to LDK in connection to the treatment of effluent from the company.
MPs observed that the company was located in an industrial zone where no construction of residential apartments should have been allowed.
The committee chair Moitalel Ole Kenta observed that members seemed to have 'written' their report but added that the committee will be fair and objective.
He said LDK had assured that they had addressed the issues raised adding that the committee had given Nema four weeks to do a comprehensive report.
The MP observed that LDK enjoyed a 'first right' having been established long before the complainant Erdermann properties came on the ground.
Other members of the committee who were accompanied by area MP Patrick Makau included Richard Onyonka (Kitutu Chache) Paul Oduor (Migori) and George Theuri (Embakasi West).
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