The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has apprehended 13 individuals operating facilities in Kitui County without the necessary environmental licenses.
In a statement released on their X handle on Thursday, May 14, 2026, NEMA explained that these arrests followed a series of environmental inspections conducted across various hotels, hospitals, and petrol stations in the county to assess compliance with environmental laws and waste management practices.
NEMA stated, “Our environmental inspectors have arrested 13 facility owners in Kitui County for operating without the required environmental licenses. This action results from inspections aimed at evaluating adherence to environmental regulations.”
Regulatory Provisions
The authority emphasized that this initiative aligns with the Water Quality Regulations 2024, which mandate that all facilities generating wastewater must treat their effluent before releasing it into the environment. Additionally, these regulations require that institutions and businesses obtain an effluent discharge license from NEMA for the disposal of wastewater.
NEMA cautioned that failure to comply with these regulations could have serious repercussions for human health, water sources, and the environment. “The Water Quality Regulations 2024 stipulate that facilities must treat their wastewater prior to environmental discharge and secure an effluent discharge license,” they added.
The authority confirmed that it will continue inspections nationwide to ensure environmental compliance and that businesses adhere to pollution control standards.
Recently, NEMA has intensified its efforts against facilities violating environmental laws, particularly concerning wastewater management, pollution control, and the improper disposal of industrial waste.
NEMA urges all businesses and institutions to regularize their operations by obtaining the necessary environmental licenses and fully complying with wastewater treatment regulations.
