We’ll not harvest sand from Diani, China Road and Bridge Corporation assures

China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) has moved to clarify that they will not harvest sand from Diani Beach in Kwale County for the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway.

CRBC will instead harvest sand in Likoni following an approval by the National Environmental Management Authority harvest sea sand offshore in Kwale County.

The licence, however, states that no sand harvesting shall take place on Diani Beach. “The NEMA licence excludes Diani Beach because of its international importance as among the areas where sand may be harvested,” Prof Jacob Kibwage, SGR Project Environmental technical advisor said.

CRBC received the licence on May 22 and is currently preparing equipment that will be used for sand dredging. The SGR contractor expects to start the sand harvesting activities in mid-July.

“The areas that have been earmarked for sand harvesting are not ecologically sensitive and there will be little or no impact on the marine life. There will also be adequate environmental monitoring system from Government agencies like KMA and KEMFRI to ensure environmental sustainability,” Prof Kibwage noted.