**5. Conclusion**

The concentration of Pb and Zn were consistently high near the effluent discharge points indicating enrichment through the Pulp and paper liquid effluents or gaseous emissions. Cu was consistently high from 1 km onward away from the river bank, while Cd was the lowest. Zn was highly influenced by pH, temperature and EC. The levels of PTEs in soils around the paper mill confirm anthropogenic enrichment and should therefore influence policy makers for industrial management in Western Kenya.
