Authorities crack down on illegal sand harvesting in Homa Bay

Authorities in Homa Bay have banned sand harvesting in Rachuonyo North subcounty and consequently formed a multi-agency team to address the menace.

The move followed an outcry by villagers in Kobuya against increasing sand harvesting in the area that has led to destruction of roads by the lorries transporting the sand.

Sand harvesting has also killed at least five people in the area over the last three years after the workers got buried in the mines.

The multi-agency team includes officers from the national government, Homa Bay county government, National Environment Management Authority and residents.

The crackdown mainly targets sand harvesting sites that have left  huge gullies, damage water pipes, roads and power lines in some villages in the subcounty.

Rachuonyo North deputy county commissioner Aaron Koross and Kobuya location chief Damianus Osano said they have recorded deaths attributed to tragedies occasioned by sand harvesting.

Koross said sites which will be found to be operating without proper documentation will be closed.

The planned operation comes after some residents in Wang'chieng ward said families are slowly losing their land due to uncontrolled harvesting of sand.

On Friday, Koross together with area police commander Lydia Parteiyie, Osano and residents visited some mining sites where sand harvesting are done to assess the level of damage.

Koross said they have been forced to come up with a solution for the problem.

“Urgent solution is needed to end loss of lives, road damage and destruction of environment. We’re going to close down illegal mining sites after meeting land owners and Nema officers,” Koross said.

Speaking after touring a mining site in Kobuya village, Koross said they decided the practice be controlled through a joint effort between different government agencies.

According to Koross, poor sand harvesting in the subcounty has led to cut electricity supply as poles collapse when sand are removed around them.

Five people have been reported dead as harvesters get trapped when lose soil falls and buries them alive.

Grave sites are also not spared by the unscrupulous sand harvesters.

“We are asking residents to continue working with us so we identify illegal mining sites and close them. The team will do assessment and came up with appropriate solution,” Koross said.

Osano said they have mapped out areas where sand harvesting are being conducted without legal procedures and called on residents to work closely with government officers before they allow their lands for sand harvesting.

He argued they have also recorded cases of land disputes as some people encroach others’ land during harvesting.

“Sand harvesting in the area has led to decline in crop farming and increase the rate of poverty. The fertile top soil has been eroded hence does not support crop production,” Osano said.

The administrator said the crackdown will involved disallowing minors from engaging in sand harvesting.

Osano said Nema officials have previously arrested individuals who include minors but they still participate in unauthorised activities. 

“We’re worried about a new trend that is emerging where school children also engage in mining in disguised of supporting their parents to get money,” he added. 

Some minors engage in the activity at night. The underage men do not mind the danger associated with mining at odd hours.

Residents have accused Nema of looking away despite the concerns being taken to their doorsteps.

Homa Bay county Nema director Josiah Nyandoro declined to comment on the matter even though villagers accused him of ignoring their plight.

"We have reported a number of negative impacts caused by sand harvesting to Nema officers but no action has been taken. Sand harvesters destroy roads and force people out of their homes with impunity and Nema has refused to take action," resident Isaac Aura said.

Koross promised to reach out to the Nema officials.

Benta Olang and Ogelo Asim said middle men have taken advantage of their ignorance and thirst for quick cash to exploit them.

They are appealing to the government to help them get a solution to the problem.

“Many children contract malaria because of the mosquitoes breed in the water logged gullies during rains,” Olang said.

Asim argued that a number of houses have developed cracks because of excessive sand harvesting conducted around them.

They pledged to work closely with government officials to address the situation.

“Soil erosions have increased and led to impassable roads. Many homes become inaccessible due to unwarranted sand harvesting,” he said.