Years after the closure of a toxic battery recycling plant, residents of the village of Owino Ohuru say they are still living with the aftereffects of lead poisoning.
According to experts, this is a warning of a growing risk to public health, as the rise of clean energy in Africa leads to a sharp increase in battery use.
"The elderly and children here are sick. We also have cases of miscarriages, and the only thing left for us to do is go to the hospital. However, we cannot do that without financial means. We need money to take care of our families and lead a normal life ," says Benjamin Simblla, a resident of the village of Owino Ohuru.
The contamination dates back to 2007, when Kenya Metal Refineries EPZ, a local subsidiary of a Mumbai-based company, operated a lead-acid battery recycling plant in the area, exporting the processed lead to India as global demand for batteries was rising.
Residents reported that toxic waste from the factory had seeped into the soil and water, causing a widespread epidemic. More than 20 deaths have been linked to the pollution.
Although the factory closed in 2014, the consequences persist.
Alfred Ogulo Mulo, 70, an elder of the village, suffers from paralysis in his leg and now needs a cane to walk.
"I have been to many hospitals, but I have not recovered and my condition continues to deteriorate. I now feel like someone with polio. My leg is paralyzed and my body is in constant pain," he said.
He adds that tests revealed extremely high levels of lead in his blood, which caused nerve damage and reduced mobility.
"I was in good health before, but today I have to walk with a cane, even though I've never had a fracture or fallen. It's the poisoning that has seriously affected my body," he protests.
A case brought before the Supreme Court
In 2025, Kenya's Supreme Court awarded approximately $12 million in damages to some 3,000 residents who won a class-action lawsuit against the company, marking a rare legal victory for victims of industrial pollution. But even as the community seeks to move on, activists say the state has failed to deliver compensation in a timely manner.
"It is regrettable that the state has neglected to prioritize the payment of compensation, as ordered by the court ," said Phyllis Omido, who heads the Center for Justice Governance and Environmental Action (CJGEA) and helped bring the residents' case to court.
"These funds would have helped to alleviate the suffering currently endured by these vulnerable residents."
Experts warn that similar risks could emerge across Africa as the continent accelerates its transition to clean energy.
