Athi River residents, police clash over closure of quarries

Chaos erupted at Ngelani area, in Athi River, Machakos Count, after locals and police clashed on Saturday over closure of quarries.

An attempt by the Machakos County Government to close down several quarries faced resistence from residences who insisted that they eked out a living from stone mining activities.

The county's enforcement officers accompanied by police officers raided the quarries, sparking off daylong running battles. The devolved government claims the quarries are operating without proper National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) licenses. 

Police were forced to shot in the air to disperse the angry residents who pelted stones in return. Some of the residents who spoke to The Standard accused to county askaris of taking the law into their hands.

They claimed there is an order stopping interference of the quarries pending the conclusion of a court case between the county government and quarry owners.

''Where in the country do we see government operations implemented at the weekends, where is the court order to stop the quarries from operating?" posed Naomi Mueni, a resident.

Mwania Muneni a mason who works at one of the quarries complained that the action by the county government to close down the place will affect many people who depend on it.

''This action by the county will make many young people loose their jobs. Therefore, we are appealing to Governor Wavinya Ndeti to change her mind and allow the quarries to continue operating,'' said Mwania the 55-year-old.

However, according to the Machakos County Chief Officer In-change of Environment and Natural Resources captain Andrew Mwema, the quarry owners have failed to comply with an environmental conservation order contrary to section 143 (c) of the Environmental Management and Coordination Act 1999.

''Commencing a project without and Environmental Impact Assessment License contrary to section 58(1) and 144 of the Environmental Management and Coordination Act of 1999 is illegal and that's why we are here to close down and stop these operations until they comply'' said Mwema.

The quarry operators have also failed to prepare and submit a project report to the authority contrary to regulation 7 of Environmental Impact Assessment of Audit regulations.