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Kengen to pay compensation for oil spill

Kenya's top environmental agency has said it will compel electricity producing firm Kengen to pay for damages after a power station at Kipevu caused an oil spill in the Indian Ocean.

According to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the 10,000 litre spillage, will see Kengen pay for restoration of environment and compensation for fishermen. (READ: Oil spill threatens marine life)

NEMA has already written to government agencies affected by the Saturday spillage, instructing them to undertake environmental assessment of the damage resulting from the spill.

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The agencies contacted include Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Kenya Marine Fisheries Institute (KEMFRI), Kenya Forests Service (KFS), Fisheries department and Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA).

The agencies will quantify the environment damage and the cost of cleanup to be paid by the power generating company

They have up to 14 days to forward an evaluation report to NEMA on the matter.

"Based on the report, NEMA will issue an Environment Restoration Order pursuant to Section 108 of EMCA 1999 to KenGen. This is guided by the Polluter Pays Principle," a statement from the environmental agency said.

“The fisheries department will do an assessment of approximately the number of fish lost and the losses fishermen have undergone in the days that that the Indian ocean was polluted.

“Kenya Forest Service (KFS) will do its own assessment on mangrove trees lost as a result of the oil spillage. Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) will also conduct an assessment on all marine lives lost and the cost of restoring the marine lives.

"This will then be followed by restoration of the affected site and compensation of affected institutions and individuals, a cost to be met by KenGen.