Envirosafe Limited Manager Ibrahim Manyenya has dismissed claims that the company poses health risks to the residents by disposing wastes in unsafe manner.
Manyenya said the allegations were profound because the firm does not dispose wastes but process them and dispose off ash.
He spoke to this writer at his office in Export Processing Zone in Athi River town on Wednesday.
He was responding to claims by the company’s former employee that the incinerator was poorly managed, flouted National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) rules and regulations thereby being health hazard to its employees and Athi River town residents.
Speaking to this writer separately in Athi River town same morning, Kevin Omondi claimed chemicals, acid and paints were being disposed off by the incinerator poorly.
“The company does not dispose off chemicals in proper manner, it uses shortcuts. Its workers have dug a hole in a bush next to the firm where they pour acid and paints,” said Omondi.
Omondi said the workers were working under poor terms and conditions of work that included poor remuneration, lack of toilets and protective clothes while at work.
He claimed residents living next to the incinerator were complaining of poor remittance of smoke and other chemicals from the company that posed health risks to them.
Omondi said he voluntarily quit work a week ago citing the reasons alongside poor management of the company.
Manyenya trashed the claims stating that Omondi faces insubordination cases and had decided to abscond duty.
“There are no issues here as far as I am concerned. Omondi went to collect papers from Kala Packaging Company in Mlolongo town last Tuesday but when he was told by his supervisors to assist in arranging some wastes brought in by another truck, he refused and instead left work at 11.00 am instead of 5.00pm,” said Manyenya.
He said Omondi had absconded duty since he had not formally quit work though there were rumors that he had gotten a job elsewhere, reason he was trying to black mail the company and its management.
Manyenya said the company was compliant with laws and regulations from all relevant government agencies including Nema which consistently renews its certificate of compliant annually.