Coast Human Rights groups have threatened to protest against lead poisoning in Owino Uhuru slum.
Centre for Justice, Governance and Environmental Action (CJGEA) and Haki Africa have vowed to hold demonstrations at the Environment Ministry offices in Nairobi.
The groups noted that over 300 people have lost their lives since 2009, following the establishment of Metal Refineries EZ, a lead smelting company in the area.
The plant, which used to extract lead for exportation, was closed last year following a public outcry.
Speaking after collecting the body of Sammy Okello, a-five-year-old boy who died of lead poison at Coast Provincial General Hospital mortuary, CJGEA executive director Phyllis Omido claimed that Environment Cabinet Secretary Judi Wakhungu, has been adamant in the implementation of the recommendation of a report drafted last year.
Omindo, who was presented with a Sh15 million Global Goldman Environment Award for spearheading the campaign that led to the shutting down of the plant, said Wakhungu should implement the report as soon as possible.
She said the report was done by various stakeholders including representatives from the Kenya Bureau of Standards, Health Ministry and Water Resource Management Authority among others.
“The CS has refused to implement the report which recommended Sh4 billion compensation to the Owino Uhuru community for remediation,” Omindo said.
“We are now telling the CS that we are not going to continue burying more people dying from lead poison. If more people die, we shall take their remains to the CS’s office in Nairobi and demonstrate,” said Omindo, as quoted by The Star.