The Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) has outlined the progress made in managing the aftermath of the oil spill that affected River Thange in Kibwezi, Makueni County, following concerns raised in a Senate inquiry.
In a letter dated April 30, 2025, KPC Managing Director Joe Sang assured the Senate of the company’s ongoing commitment to compensation, environmental restoration, and long-term monitoring. He revealed that KPC had fully compensated 342 affected households, disbursing Sh38 million through an insurance provider.
“As part of the incident response, KPC undertook an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) through an independent consultant, including medical examinations for over 400 villagers,” said Sang.
To address water concerns, KPC provided potable water to the community for two years using nine strategically placed water tanks. However, a plan to drill a permanent borehole stalled due to disagreements among locals over the ideal location. Sang indicated that the project could proceed once the community reaches a consensus.
On environmental remediation, Sang noted that the clean-up process took three years and involved both internal and external audits. The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) later issued decommissioning letters, confirming the restoration of the site.
Annual environmental monitoring remains ongoing. The latest tests in April 2025 showed no presence of oil in River Thange’s waters or the surrounding soil. The analysis included testing for harmful hydrocarbons such as Benzene and Xylene.
Despite the reported progress, local residents have taken legal action, filing a case at the Lands and Environment Court in Makueni seeking further compensation. A ruling is expected later in the year.
Sang reaffirmed KPC’s transparency in dealing with the matter, emphasizing that all monitoring reports had been verified by NEMA-certified independent laboratories.
“We have not seen any indications contrary to the various results over the years,” he said, emphasizing KPC’s continued cooperation with stakeholders.
The Kibwezi oil spill incident, which began nearly a decade ago, remains a critical environmental and public health concern, with residents and authorities still navigating its long-term implications.
