Owino Uhuru is a village in Mombasa, Kenya, sometimes described as a slum.
Owino Uhuru | |
|---|---|
  Location within Kenya | |
| Coordinates: 4°00′S 39°37′E / 4.00°S 39.61°E | |
| Country |  Kenya |
| County | Mombasa County |
| City | Mombassa |
| Population (2022) | |
| • Total | 3,800 |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (EAT) |
The village's drinking water supply was polluted by lead in the 2010 and 2020s.
Description
editOwino Uhuru is a village in Mombasa, sometimes described as a slum.[1]
In 2022, Owino Uhuru had a population of 3,800 people, most of whom live in simple dwellings and work in the nearby ports.[2]
History
editFrom 2007[1] to 2014,[3] Metal Refinery EPZ operated a lead-acid battery recycling factory near the village.[3] The process included use of a lead-smelter, which leaked lead-contaminated waste-water in the drinking water source of the village.[2]
2015 tests by the Kenyan Centers for Disease Control found villages with lead levels in their blood at dangerous levels. A campaign led by Phyllis Omido saw the factory's owners and the Government of Kenya challenged for compensation in court[3] in 2016.[1] In 2020, the Environment and Land Court[4] awarded 3,000 villagers Sh.13 billion[5] (the equivalent of U.S. $12 million[1]), before the government appealed the decision.[1]
In June 2023, the appeal was upheld by the Court of Appeal.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e "Kenyan coastal community defeats lead polluter in court". Africa Renewal. 2020-12-18. Archived from the original on 2023-03-08. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
- ^ a b Schlanger, Zoë (2018-03-18). "A Kenyan mother, disappearing Indian businessmen, and the battery factory that poisoned a village". Quartz. Archived from the original on 2023-06-06. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
- ^ a b c Adebayo, Bukola (2020-07-17). "Residents of a Kenyan village awarded $12 million in a lawsuit over lead poisoning | CNN". CNN. Archived from the original on 2023-06-17. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
- ^ Mghenyi, Charles (23 June 2023). "Blow to Owino Uhuru residents as Court of Appeal sets aside Sh1.3bn payout". The Star. Archived from the original on 2023-06-28. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
- ^ a b "Blow to Owino Uhuru lead-poisoning victims as court quashes Sh1.3bn award". Nation. 2023-06-23. Archived from the original on 2023-06-27. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
