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 . 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) ....