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Kenyan authorities have detained a Denmark-owned cargo ship suspected to be carrying harmful nuclear waste disguised as padlocks and hardware items.
Nation reports that the vessel christened MV Seago Piraeus Voy was loaded in India on December 2nd and was reportedly destined for Dar es Salaam port in Tanzania. Before it arrived at the Mombasa port on December 15th, the ship had been to India, Oman, and Pakistan.
Kenya detained the ship by virtue of being a signatory to the Indian Ocean Memorandum of Understanding which obligates members to prevent, intercept, interdict, and combat trafficking of radioactive and nuclear material.
Robert Njue, the director-general of Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) says they learned of the presence of the ship and its hazardous cargo on December 15th.
“The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) called for a joint boarding of the vessel by a multi-agency team with the aim of getting information about the container. The team met with the vessel captain and senior officers,” Njue said.
The Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA) says it is working with the Ministry of Health to ensure the public is not exposed to the radiation from nuclear waste which can cause serious health problems such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
“We are in the process of obtaining samples to determine the substance on suspicion of some radioactive materials, We have taken all measures as we work with other teams from multiple agencies to conduct tests, the results of which will be made public,” said KNRA director-general Joseph Maina.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe directed KNRA to inspect the shipment to determine the radioactive material in question, the quantity, and the position inside the ship. “The ship poses a serious threat to the health and life of Kenyans due to the emission of radiation from radioactive or nuclear material on board," he said.
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These developed countries dump their waste in developing countries all the time then come and pretend to offer aid and medicine when people get sick.
Why is Tanzania agreeing to be used as an Indian dumping ground.I doubt Tanzania has the knowledge or even the environmental maturity to dispose of the waste with minimal human and plant impact assuming that is even possible .Tanzanian corruption is beginning to affect its neighbors
..return to sender ASAP ...n put punitive measures that will hinder such forever....
Nuclear waste should be destroyed where it is produced.
It’s a terrible idea to ship Nuclear waste.
The ship’s agents in Kenya are wauaji Joho & Raila.That is why it was released without anybody being arrested leave alone being charged.I remember how both faked the 2009 return of poisonous maize to SA but the ship left minus the maize which ended up in Kenyan market.The cancer maize is still killing thousands of Kenyans.
Stop holding nuclear waste anymore, Kenya! It most likely is already leaking out waste, either through fumes or otherwise. Return to sender please!!!
And who is the designee?