By Dorothy Musyoka
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) today conducted a rigorous inspection of petrol stations and eateries along Mombasa Road in Nairobi, unveiling significant non-compliance with key environmental regulations.
Earlier today NEMA had warned facilities operating fossil fuel-powered generators that they risk prosecution for not acquiring an air quality emission license.
Additionally, the Authority noted poor record-keeping practices, especially among companies with multiple branches, who failed to display records prominently at each location as required under Section 121 of the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA), 1999.
Particular attention was given to the use of standby stationary electricity generators, which rely on fossil fuels. These generators contribute to climate change through the emission of harmful gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and black carbon.
NEMA stressed the importance of obtaining air quality emission licenses to monitor and control the quality of emissions released into the atmosphere.
“Standby stationery electricity generators use fossil fuel which on combustion contribute to climate change through release of gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, Sulphur dioxide and black carbon. They are hence supposed to obtain an air quality emission license which enables them to declare the quality of emissions released to the atmosphere,” explained NEMA
As a result, several operators of fossil fuel generators without the necessary air quality emission licenses were arrested.
To enforce compliance, NEMA issued Improvement Orders to proprietors of the non-compliant facilities, requiring them to adhere to various environmental laws and licensing conditions.
“The Authority undertook arrests of operators of fossil fuel generators without an air quality emission license. Several proprietors were issued with Improvement Orders to comply with various environmental laws and license conditions.Companies operating multiple branches were also issued warnings for their failure to maintain and display proper records as mandated by law,” NEMA said.
NEMA’s inspection is part of its ongoing commitment to ensuring that all regulated facilities comply with environmental regulations, thereby safeguarding public health and the environment.
According to NEMA petrol stations are required to undertake stack emission measurements and submit the report to NEMA in order to obtain emission license for their generators.
Additionally the Authority requires all regulated facilities to keep updated environmental compliance records such as licenses, Audit Reports, and environmental Monitoring records at the site of the establishment.
The Authority assured the public that such inspections would continue regularly to enforce compliance and promote environmental sustainability across the country.