We’ll deal with wanton sand harvesting in Kitui, says CEC

Kitui County government has asked residents to be patient as they address the issue of wanton and destructive sand harvesting.

Kitui Environment, climate change and mineral resources executive John Mwendandu said the matter would soon be addressed as a law to that effect is now in place.

“Yes. I know there has been an outcry over the issue, but we are working on a long-term solution for it,” he said.

He said the process to enforce Kitui County River Basin Sand Utilisation and Conservation Act 2024 was in top gear, and in no time mining will be streamlined to protect and conserve the ecosystem.

Speaking on the sidelines of a three-day national youth workshop on forestry at the Kitui regional Kefri Centre on Wednesday, Mwendandu was responding to incessant concerns over uncontrolled sand harvesting.

Recently, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, while attending a church service at the Mwingi town Catholic church, urged Kitui leaders to reign in massive environmental degradation caused by sand harvesting and charcoal burning.

“We are turning Kitui county into a desert. And therefore, leaders, I am challenging you to do something please. Three hundred trucks are ferrying sand from Kitui every day,” Kalonzo said.

He challenged the elected leaders from Kitui to stop being passive over the grave matter of serious environmental degradation, smell the coffee and take appropriate action.

But Mwendandu said that two week ago, the Kitui county river basin sand utilisation and conservation committee started work, and was sorting out initial issues before it rolls out its operation to enforce the sand law.

“The objective of the Act is not about revenue. It is not about money. It is about environmental conservation and protection of our reverine ecosystem,” the executive said.

He said the apex sand mining regulating committee headed by renown environmental expert, Benjamin Mukulo, was expected to approve sites suitable for sand harvesting, license sand transporters and allot them specific and mandatory routes.

He said the Act was not more on raising revenue for the Kitui county government but for the protection of the environment as stipulated in Governor Julius Malombe’s pre-election manifesto.

“The vision of the sand law is not to sell sand or realise revenue for the county government. When you look at the 16-sector manifesto by the governor, it emphasis environmental conservation protection and conservation,” he said.

He added that since river basin based cooperative societies would be charged with selling sand, some of the money realised would be ploughed back for environmental conservation in the areas.

Mwendandu said not only will projects like sand dams and water sump-wells be done but the conserved areas will have plenty of water for horticulture and food growing and good grazing patches.

“The main agenda is to create a healthy and sustainable reverine ecosystem,” he said.

He however pointed out that since the sand law will be constitutionally implemented, residents who will be opposed to sand mining in their areas will have their way.

“There are communities that have said no to sand harvesting and therefore it is not going to be done in their areas whether or not the sand build-up becomes mountains,” the executive said.

He said communities are taking such a stand owing to fear of the harmful impact due to the devastation caused by unregulated sand harvesting experienced so far in neighbouring areas.