Nema has issued a warning to Kwale hotels operating without the effluent discharge license. County director of environment Wilfred Osumo yesterday in Ukunda said hotel owners flouting the regulation will be prosecuted.

He said several hotels in Diani and Ukunda are illegally operating without proper waste management facilities.Osumo said beach hotels will be inspected. He said all the county hotels must adhere to the required health and environmental standards.

Osumo confirmed that he has already prepared charge sheets for two hotels which NEMA will prosecute for operating without the license."I am very concerned that there are hotel facilities along Ukunda-Lunga Lunga road which do not even have toilet facilities. Some big hotels including beach hotels also lack the license with some disposing their waste without proper filtration," said Osumo.

According to NEMA, filtrates from hotel facilities must be treated before being discharged. He said majority of the hotels are carelessly disposing their waste hence a threat to the environment.

Osumo said NEMA will carry a thorough inspection of all hotels, restaurants, eateries and public facilities to ascertain their conditions."Anyone found to be contravening the law will be prosecuted. We cannot afford to have people jeopardize our environment. This is for the benefit of our environment which has for long been ignored," he said.

According to Mombasa and Coast Tourism Association, the south coast region has 19 main tourist hotels and more than 50 small hotels and restaurant.