Turkana County Director for Environment Clement Nadio has issued a ban on Smoking and processing of fish by traders in non-designated areas in Kalokol Town.
He also issued traders with a one month notice to relocate from the present areas of operation.
The ban also outlawed use of polythene bags and indiscriminate dumping of solid and liquid waste in non-designated areas.
Addressing the public over the ban in Kalokol, Nadio said that the move by the County Government is geared towards ensuring a cleaner and investment friendly environment at Kalokol to boost trade in the area.
“To effect the relocation and the ban, a multisectoral team of officers from NEMA and representatives drawn from County’s’ departments of Public Health, Environment, Enforcement, Lands, Trade and Finance will jointly oversee the process to its logical conclusion under the coordination of the Ward and village administrators,” said Nadio.
He noted that he had received numerous complaints from the public concerning the state of hygiene in the area.
“The move is aimed at protecting the population from exposure to potentially risky and fatal health hazards,” he said.
He further promised to engage other departments in the County Government for resumption of garbage collection services and supply of clean and safe water for domestic and commercial use.
The Acting Director for Trade, Wilson Ejiye, said that their officers in the area had been issued with firm instructions to support the process, while at the same time map all the traders for the purpose of registering them in compliance with relevant legal provisions.
Ejiye hinted that his office had received complaints regarding lack of space at the proposed relocation site amid security fears to which he promised to involve National and County security apparatus for a lasting solution within the relocation period.
He urged traders to comply with provisions of environmental pollution as well as public health laws.
Turkana Central Sub County Environment Officer, Samuel Ekaran, said that prior efforts to sensitise locals on waste disposal through hosting of global calendar were unsuccessful.
Turkana Central Sub County Public Health Officer, Lumbasi Rapando, said that the period will also be used to check compliance to health provisions especially on toileting.
He said that closure notice will be issued alongside improvement orders to address all problems at once.
Kalokol Ward Administrator, Gabriel Kowout, promised to work hand in hand with the members of the Multisectoral team to achieve a successful relocation.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
