The Ministry of Health has laid out a comprehensive set of interventions to restore public health and safety in Thange, Makueni, nearly a decade after an oil spillage from the Kenya Pipeline Company’s infrastructure polluted River Thange and surrounding areas.

Appearing before the Senate Committee on Energy on Thursday, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale detailed several measures being undertaken or planned by the ministry following a recent joint site visit and in line with Senate resolutions on the matter.

He said the ministry was committed to long-term solutions and restoring the dignity of affected residents, who continue to suffer health, environmental and economic consequences from the 2015 spillage.

Duale said the ministry had already deployed two technical officers to the county task force to support coordination and oversight of the health response. “The inclusion of our technical team into the Makueni task force is done,” he said, adding that more collaboration would follow.

A major recommendation by the ministry is the urgent provision of clean water to the Thange community by drilling new boreholes in areas free from contamination. The Health Ministry will write to KPC to fund this activity, while also participating in water quality control.

In his statement, Duale also emphasized the need for annual medical check-ups for exposed residents. Two rounds have already been conducted, and the ministry is awaiting the results. “The Ministry is supporting the County Government on this,” he said.

Psychosocial support was also identified as a key priority. The ministry is helping the county offer regular counselling and debriefing services to affected families. Additionally, it has proposed the establishment of a registry to monitor post-exposure complications in both humans and animals and will follow up with the county to provide technical support.

The health CS told senators that a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) should be jointly undertaken by the Ministry and the County Government of Makueni. This remains pending and the ministry plans to request Kenya Pipeline Company to provide funding for the assessment.

To monitor ongoing risks, Duale said periodic water and soil testing is already underway, with two rounds completed using accredited laboratories. He stressed that this testing would continue in collaboration with county health officials.

On preventing future disasters, Duale noted that installing a spill detection system along the pipeline is crucial. While this task lies with KPC, the ministry plans to issue the company with a statutory notice under Section 118 of the Public Health Act (Cap 242), compelling compliance.

The statement also highlighted findings from the recent site visit by the Health Ministry and the Senate Committee. The team observed strong petroleum odours, visible oil residues, and ongoing contamination in water sources, including boreholes used by schools such as Thange High School. Some boreholes as far as 40km downstream showed oil traces.

Residents and community leaders raised multiple concerns during a public baraza, including a suspected rise in cancer and kidney disease cases, livestock miscarriages, deformities, crop failure, and increasing medical and living costs.

Duale noted that while health is a devolved function, the national ministry would continue to provide policy direction, technical assistance and oversight. “The Ministry is committed to ensuring that the health and dignity of the residents of Thange is restored,” he said.

He submitted a detailed technical report to the committee and pledged to continue working with the county government, KPC and other stakeholders to resolve the crisis.