Nema to decide fate of cement factory, Kenya
The fate of a new cement factory due to be constructed in Kitengela will be known next week after the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) receives a report on discussions drawn by stakeholders.
Area residents are opposed to the building of Catic Cement plant by Chinese investors. They argue that it will make the residential area inhabitable with concerns ranging from dust and noise, to sharing of scarce resources in the area like water.
Nema has over the last two months facilitated discussions between the residents and Catic officials. A group calling itself Concerned Kitengelians said that the cement firm would alter “the typology of the area which is developing as a residential area.”
The group is made up of individuals who own property and land adjacent to the proposed site for Catic Cement (Kenya) Limited along Viwandani road in the Kaputiei area, Kajiado.
“We object to the proposed cement factory as it is in the wrong location,” an advocacy leaflet indicated. Catic will be a cement milling plant that will rely on imported clinker, a process that emits various chemicals and noise.
Under Nema rules an environmental impact assessment is required to establish how the factory will affect the area and its residents, including plants and animals.
The developer of such a project is required to prove safeguards are in place to protect the interests of the residents and the environment.
The report expected by NEMA will form one of the considerations before the project is allowed to proceed. Published under Cement News
