Why government could shut down a Kiambu-based Chinese company

A Chinese-owned leather company in Kiambu County risks closure after it was found operating under health threatening conditions.

Times Unit Industries received a closure notice dated December 13, asking the company’s director, Cheng Jin, to comply with health regulations in the leather industry or action would be taken against it.

The company located in Thika town has until January 13, 2018 to comply with public health requirements and recommendation by the health officers as per the Public Health Act.

Failure to comply with the order may also lead to the prosecution of the company’s directors for endangering the lives of its workers.

“A sanitary inspection carried out by public Health officers on the 13th day of December 2017 revealed that the tannery factory is operated under insanitary conditions contrary to the provisions of the public Health Act 242 laws of Kenya,” reads part of the notice.

The Kenyan-based foreign company is accused of discharging waste water into public sewers without pre-treatment, lacking ventilation cyclones for the premises and continued use of asbestos for roofing materials.

It was further found to have had dilapidated floors across the entire premises and having indiscriminate storage of hide and skin wastes within its compound.

The Chinese company has reportedly also been given two previous notices by the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA).

NEMA director Stephen Kimutu confirmed to Citizen Digital that the company is under investigation over health concerns.

The inspections by public health officers come amid a presidential directive announced on December 12 to have leather products manufactured locally.