Nema and security officers mounted a crackdown on illegal sand harvesting and arrested six people in Homa Bay.
A multi-sectoral team including Nema, security officers, Homa Bay government and residents agreed last week to work together and eradicate sand harvesting on illegal mining sites that are hazardous.
The team also banned sand harvesting in at least three villages where illegal mining was taking place in Wang Chieng ward, Rachuonyo North subcounty.
The villages are Kobuya, Osodo and Rakwaro.
Last week, the team led by Rachuonyo North deputy county cCommissioner Aaron Koross, Homa Bay Nema director Josiah Nyandoro and some residents visited the areas and closed the sites because of illegal sand harvesting.
In their assessment, the team noted levels of damage the activities have caused to the environment.
Nyandoro said they agreed to start controlling sand harvesting activities in the area in order to protect the environment and benefit residents.
He said the National Environment Management Authority is alert and will continue with the crackdown on the sites and arrest people perpetrating outlawed activities.
On Friday, Nyandoro said the six individuals they arrested were found to have violated environmental laws while harvesting sand.
“Four people were arrested for operating a site that is not licensed. We’ll continue with the crackdown to ensure illegal sand harvesting is completely eradicated in Homa Bay,” Nyandoro said.
According to Nema laws, mining sites should be subjected to an environmental impact assessment before anyone begins mining activities.
Among the things Nema looksinto during assessment is construction, operation and decommissioning. Nyandoro said the sites they closed are not licensed.
“The government banned illegal sand harvesting in Homa Bay. Any sand harvesting should therefore be subjected to assessment,” he said.
The Nema officer said they are going to extend the crackdown to stone mining.
He said some people were engaging in illegal stone excavation in Rachuonyo North, Rangwe and Rachuonyo South subcounties.
Illegal mining exposes water pipes in a multimillion-shilling water projects, destroyselectricity poles and increases soil erosion during rains as sand is scooped.
Crop production is also interfered with because the fertile top soil is eroded.
“They damage roads and interfere with communication. We’ll continue arresting people and charge them,” Nyandoro said.
Last week, Koross said they involved the Homa Bay government in the exercise to avoid conflict of interest as the latter generates revenue from the activities.
The DCC said they want to promote sustainable sand harvesting that is beneficial to everybody.
“We must be ready to advocate for environmental protection to enable all to benefit,” Koross said.
Kobuya location chief Damianus Osano said they were working closely with Nema officials to ensure they protect property and the environment.
He said some houses had collapsed and graves exposed due to excessive sand harvesting.
Residents have also suffered unstable electricity supply as power poles collapse due to weakened soil.
“We’re asking residents not to be involve in outlawed economic activities because they will be arrested,” Osano said.
Edited by Henry Makori
