Nairobi — A giant paper maker has been sued for allegedly polluting the environment.

One hundred and eighty residents of Webuye Division in Bungoma District want the PanPaper Mills be kicked out of the area over the alleged crime.

In a suit filed at a Nairobi court through their lawyer, Mr Wanyonyi Chebukati, yesterday, area residents claimed that continued production by PanPaper was unlawful.

They said that since its inception, PanPaper been producing offensive and poisonous matter.

As a result, they argued, the company had made them suffer several illnesses that had affected their ability to work or engage in any meaningful economic activity."

Among the illnesses they claimed they had suffered as result include general irritation of the eyes and the respiratory tract, inflamed membranes and cancer of the respiratory tract.

Other problems they claimed they faced include irreversible damage of the brain, liver complications and impotence in men.

The residents further claimed that due to the company's failure to comply with the National Environmental and Management Act, they were exposed to heavy doses of hazardous gases such as hydrogen, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and chlorine.

They further claimed that the paper maker had failed to provide adequate information on dangerous materials such as mercury, phenols and chlorine.

"The effect of this on human and animal life in River Nzoia is enormous," said the residents.

They also want the company to provide alternative settlement for the locals and other people living within a radius of two kilometres from the factory.