Toxic Truths Beneath the Surface: Environmental Impact Assessment of the Gioto Dumpsite in Nakuru County, Kenya

Environmental Impact Assessment of the Gioto Dumpsite, Nakuru County, Kenya

Chapter One: Introduction

1.0 Overview

The Gioto Dumpsite—located approximately 2 miles northwest of Nakuru Town—is an open landfill occupying about 50 hectares. Established in 1972, it serves as the main disposal site for the region’s domestic, industrial, agricultural, hospital, and electronic waste.

Over the years, the dumpsite has exposed nearby residents to dangerous levels of pollutants, especially heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, copper, and zinc, all of which exceed international safety limits.
These contaminants pose severe health risks, including respiratory problems, skin diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, central nervous system damage, and eye and ear infections.

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1.1 Terms of Reference

According to the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA, 1999), all ongoing projects with environmental impacts must undergo regular Environmental Audits (EA). This is reinforced by the Nakuru Municipal Council Environmental By-Laws and the Environmental (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, 2003.

The main objectives of this audit were to:

1. Describe the environment around the Gioto Dumpsite.

2. Identify all environmental and human impacts of the dumpsite.

3. Predict potential long-term environmental effects.

4. Assess compliance with environmental laws and regulations.

5. Propose cost-effective mitigation measures.

6. Develop an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for sustainable operations.

7. Submit a comprehensive report to NEMA (National Environment Management Authority).

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1.2 Baseline Information

Location:
The Gioto Dumpsite is situated along Nakuru–Kabarak Road, covering approximately 50 hectares of land.

Population:
The site supports a significant number of informal waste pickers and dumpsite dwellers, who reuse materials to make products such as plastic baskets and ornaments. Municipal workers also oversee and manage dumping activities.

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1.3 Methodology

1.3.1 Personal Interviews
Interviews were conducted with dumpsite dwellers, municipal workers, and local officials to gather data on waste management practices, business activities, and health/safety risks.

1.3.2 Direct Observation
Field visits were conducted for ground-truthing and to observe operational and environmental conditions first-hand.

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Chapter Two: Project Description

2.0 Location and Physical Description

The Gioto Dumpsite—formerly an abandoned quarry—was converted into a landfill by the Nakuru Municipal Council. It now receives waste from residential areas, industries, hospitals, and the central business district (CBD).

2.1 Operations

Waste is transported to the site by municipal trucks, which are unloaded manually by workers and scavengers using spades, forks, and bare hands.
Recovered materials such as plastics, metals, and paper are recycled or sold to scrap dealers.
The dumpsite primarily operates during the day, though illegal nighttime dumping occurs.

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Chapter Three: Policy, Legislative and Administrative Framework

This section outlines Kenya’s key environmental laws governing waste management and pollution control:

3.1 Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA, 1999)

EMCA guarantees every Kenyan the right to a clean and healthy environment. It requires annual environmental audits for ongoing projects to monitor environmental impacts and ensure sustainability.

3.2 Environmental (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, 2003

These regulations provide guidelines for conducting Environmental Audits (EAs) and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). The Gioto Dumpsite falls under this requirement as an ongoing project.

3.3 Local Government Act (Cap. 265)

Empowers local authorities to regulate business activities, enforce sanitation, and prevent pollution.
However, the Gioto Dumpsite lacks a proper drainage system, leading to toxic leachate contaminating nearby water sources.

3.4 Nakuru Municipal Environmental By-Laws (2006)

These by-laws prohibit indiscriminate waste disposal and require all developments to submit annual Environmental Audit Reports. The Gioto Dumpsite’s open nature violates several of these regulations.

3.5 Workmen’s Compensation Act (Cap. 236)

Protects municipal workers by mandating compensation in cases of work-related injury or illness. Proper safety gear and training are essential for compliance.

3.6 Public Health Act (Cap. 242)

Prohibits any condition harmful to public health. The open dumping and lack of perimeter fencing at Gioto contravene this act.

3.7 EMCA Waste Management Regulations (2006)

Encourages waste segregation, recycling, and cleaner production principles. It also recognizes the role of waste pickers and promotes licensed waste transportation.

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Chapter Four: Results and Discussion

The environmental audit identified three key categories of risk: health, environmental, and socio-economic.

4.1 Health Risks

• Respiratory diseases (e.g., asthma)

• Exposure to carcinogenic heavy metals (e.g., lead, cadmium)

• Skin and eye infections

• Injuries from sharp objects

• Groundwater contamination

• Breeding of disease vectors (e.g., mosquitoes, flies)

• Birth defects due to teratogenic exposure

4.2 Environmental Risks

• Water pollution from leachate runoff

• Soil contamination during heavy rains

• Air pollution from burning waste

• Loss of the area’s aesthetic value

4.3 Socio-Economic Impacts

• High medical expenses due to illness

• Reduced agricultural productivity

• Forced migration of nearby residents due to health hazards

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4.4 Mitigation Measures

• Waste burning to reduce volume (though limited due to air pollution risks)

• Recycling initiatives by local women’s groups

• Taxation on polythene bags to reduce plastic pollution

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Chapter Five: Environmental Management Plan (EMP)

Activity	Timeline	Responsible Party	Estimated Cost (KES)
Provide protective gear for workers	May 2012	Nakuru Municipal Council	30,000
Construct perimeter wall	July 2012	Nakuru Municipal Council	1,500,000
Create health awareness campaigns	Immediate	Nakuru Municipal Council	Nil
Train workers on safety procedures	April	Nakuru Municipal Council	5,000
Establish a secure sanitary landfill	Jan 2014	Nakuru Municipal Council	700,000,000

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Chapter Six: Conclusion and Recommendations

Conclusion

Despite numerous challenges, the Nakuru Municipal Council is taking steps to improve waste management through zoning, recycling, and taxation policies. However, more urgent action is needed to address the growing environmental and health hazards.

Recommendations

1. Relocate the dumpsite to a safer, less populated area.

2. Develop a comprehensive solid waste management strategy, integrating collection, transfer, recycling, treatment, and disposal.

3. Enforce municipal by-laws on waste segregation and plastic reduction.

4. Build a concrete perimeter wall to limit access and improve security.

5. Encourage sustainable waste recycling and composting practices.

6. Foster public-private partnerships in waste management initiatives.

7. Align all operations with ISO 14001 environmental standards.