Lead poisoning killed my marriage, victim tells court

Scholastica Shikanga gives her testimony in court. PHOTO | BRIAN OCHARO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

A resident of Owino Uhuru told the court that her marriage was broken as a result of lead poisoning that has claimed lives in Changamwe, Mombasa.

Ms Scholastica Shikanga, a victim of lead poisoning, broke into tears when narrating how her husband left her due to frequent sickness as a result of high levels of lead discovered in her blood.

“I don’t have a husband because of the lead poisoning. I keep on falling sick and weak because of the high level of lead in my blood” she told Environment and Lands Court Judge Ann Omollo on Thursday.

She said life has never been easy for her and her family since she tested positive with high levels of the metal.

Ms Shikanga said she lost her employment in 2013 after she was laid off to take care of her grandson who was also suffering from lead poisoning.

“Sometimes in 2013, I was forced to take my grandson to a children’s home because I had no job to enable me take care of my family. I was too weak and sick to work,” she said.

The residents have sued the government and want compensation, proper treatment and a clean-up of the environment affected to make the village habitable.

Mr Alfred Ogolla , another victim, told the court that the community was not consulted prior to the establishment of a battery factory in their neighbourhood in 2006.

“We did not know the nature of its business or what products it was dealing in, but it was obvious the factory was emitting very thick gas,” he said.

Mr Ogolla, who has been village chairman since 2002, said at times the smoke from factory was also laden with a powder-like substance which would settle on the roofs of the houses and corrode them.

The victims are represented by lawyers Charles Onyango and Francis Olel. Hearing continues tomorrow.