The National Environment Tribunal (NET) issued a temporary injunction stopping the ongoing dismantling of a barge along the Mkomani Dimbwi Rose/Kenyatta Beach in the Indian Ocean.
The order was issued in Nairobi by the tribunal chaired by Emmanuel Mumia, following an urgent application filed by the Centre for Litigation Trust.
In its directive, the tribunal ordered an immediate halt to the dismantling exercise until the case is heard and determined.
The matter will be mentioned on March 27 to confirm compliance and set a date for the ruling.
The tribunal also directed the Centre for Litigation Trust to serve the application on the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Maast Maritime (K) Limited, Finest Steel and Metal Ltd, and Joseph Mwangi, who are listed as respondents in the case.
The dispute revolves around the dismantling of a barge for scrap metal near Samaki Lane Beach, an area located close to the private residence of former president Uhuru Kenyatta and other prominent personalities in the coastal region.
Chairman of the Nyali Beach Management Unit, Said Hamid, has accused local politicians of allegedly working with scrap metal dealers in the dismantling exercise, which he says has severely disrupted fishing activities in the area.
According to Hamid, the dismantling process has already caused environmental damage, including an oil spill and pollution of the sea, threatening the marine ecosystem along the Mkomani beach stretch.
“Our members who depend on fishing to earn a living are suffering and counting losses due to the ongoing exercise,” he said.
Members of the Beach Management Unit, who recently staged a protest along the beach, said they resorted to demonstrations after exhausting all available avenues to have their grievances addressed.
Hamid lamented that local leaders and even the county government had failed to intervene despite repeated appeals.
He noted that the unit represents more than 300 fishermen whose livelihoods depend on fishing in the affected waters.
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