Governor Kihika and Water Company Boss Fined Sh2 Million Over Pollution at Lake Nakuru

In a landmark decision for environmental accountability, the Susan Kihika-led Nakuru County Government and the chief executive of Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Company Ltd (NAWASCO) have been jointly fined Sh2 million for contempt of court over illegal waste disposal into Lake Nakuru. The ruling by the Environment and Land Division, issued on February 18 2025, found that both parties failed to comply with a September 26 2024 court order that permanently restrained them from disposing of toxic and industrial waste into the lake basin.
Court documents reveal that the NGO Baboon Project Kenya provided video and photographic evidence showing continued toxic discharge into Lake Nakuru despite the court order. Judge Anthony Ombwayo noted that the defendants were aware of the court directive yet persisted with unlawful dumping of both solid and liquid waste. The ruling allows Governor Kihika and the NAWASCO CEO a choice: pay the fine or serve up to six months in civil custody.
The reaction has been swift and strong. Environmental activists hailed the ruling as a milestone for the protection of Lake Nakuru’s unique ecosystem, which is home to species such as flamingos and is part of a national park. Critics of the county government argued that the fine is only a starting point and called for structural reforms in waste management and transparent oversight of industrial licences. Meanwhile, supporters of the governor argue the case is politically motivated and stress the need for balanced environmental and development agendas.
Looking ahead, the implication of the court’s decision is significant for Kenya’s devolved counties. For Nakuru, both the county government and NAWASCO must now develop and implement an approved alternative waste-disposal plan for the Lake Nakuru basin. Failure to comply could trigger further sanctions or intervention from national environmental bodies. The next six to twelve months will be critical in determining whether this decision translates into meaningful clean-up efforts and stronger governance of waste management in the county.