The growing number of homes being put up next to industrial plants has raised fresh safety and health concerns in the Senate, with lawmakers warning that families living in such areas could be left exposed to pollution, harmful gases and the effects of possible industrial accidents.
The concern was raised by nominated Senator Betty Montet, who wants the Senate to examine how residential estates are being allowed to expand close to factories and other industrial facilities in different parts of the country.
Montet said the rapid development was bringing homes and industrial activities too close together, creating conditions that could put residents and the surrounding environment at risk.
“The establishment and expansion of residential estates near industrial plants continues to raise serious environmental, public health and safety concerns,” Montet said.
She said people living close to factories could come into contact with dust, toxic gases, industrial waste, high levels of noise and other pollutants produced by industrial operations.
Among the areas she singled out are Lukenya County Villas, Maanzoni and Kyumbi in Machakos County, where residential developments have grown close to industrial facilities.
Montet said the housing projects were partly driven by the need for more homes, including accommodation for workers employed in nearby industries.
However, she cautioned that the need for housing should not expose people to dangers from activities taking place within neighbouring industrial facilities.
She said the possible effects could extend beyond households to schools, health facilities and the wider surroundings, especially where homes and industrial operations are located close to one another.
The senator has asked the Senate Land, Environment and Natural Resources Committee to take up the matter and examine the measures being used to control residential development around industrial zones.
She wants the committee to establish whether there are enough safeguards to ensure homes do not gradually move into areas set aside for industrial activities.
The inquiry will also look at whether existing zoning policies, regulations and planning guidelines are strong enough to manage the growth of residential estates near factories.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei backed the concerns, warning that the presence of large numbers of homes around industrial plants could turn an accident into a major tragedy.
“What we are seeing happening is actually a disaster in waiting,” Cherargei said.
“Anything can happen in an industry and that would be disastrous. County governments and the State Department of Physical Planning must look at this thing keenly.”
Cherargei said county governments and the State Department of Physical Planning needed to pay close attention to how land around industrial plants was being used.
He warned that an accident at a factory could have much wider consequences when large residential populations are living within the surrounding area.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi said the issue was also being seen in other parts of the country and should therefore not be treated as a problem affecting Machakos alone.
“These industries emit dangerous gases. We are exposing our people to diseases,” Osotsi said.
Osotsi named Mombasa, Nairobi, Kisumu and Machakos among the areas where homes and industries were increasingly coming into close contact.
He described the situation as a national concern and called for urgent attention to protect people living in areas near industrial plants.
Montet wants the Senate committee to establish whether the country has proper zoning measures and planning rules to guide the development of homes around industrial areas.
She also wants the committee to assess whether the existing regulations are being followed and whether enough protection is available for residents, schools, healthcare facilities and the environment in areas where industrial and residential activities are taking place side by side.