Nema, Omido clash over Sh700m Owino Uhuru remediation money

In a letter, Nema asked CJGEA executive director Phyllis Omido to withdraw a communication she sent to the National Treasury regarding the release of funds for environmental remediation.

The dispute centers on the Sh1.3 billion compensation for victims of lead poisoning in Owino Uhuru estate, Mombasa and a separate Sh700 million meant for environmental restoration.

In December last year, the Supreme Court upheld earlier rulings awarding the payouts, after finding Nema and other agencies responsible for failing to protect the environment.

While Omido has been pushing for immediate disbursement of the Sh1.3 billion for personal injury and loss of life, the Sh700 million remediation package remains contested.

The court directed Nema and CJGEA to apply to the Environment and Land Court, which will determine the rightful entity to oversee remediation.

Omido said Nema should not receive the remediation funds until the court rules on the matter.

She also wrote to Nema in July and August, seeking updates on the compensation and requesting the authority to formally engage the Treasury.

On August 27, Nema director general Mamo Mamo responded that her earlier letter to the Treasury had complicated the process.

He advised that recalling the letter could ease disbursement or alternatively, that the ongoing court proceedings might resolve the impasse.

Omido dismissed Nema’s position, saying Treasury informed her that no application for the funds has yet been made by the authority.