The Molo Branch of Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERRA) Chair, Jane Gachathi, has called for the urgent need for compliance within the quarry industry in the wake of mounting concerns over the damage caused to the Molo-Olenguruone Road due to quarry activities by the locals.
Following this, she has directed the closure of quarries along the road and asked the owners to ensure that they strictly follow the law guiding their operations to the letter, for this will help curb any eventualities in the future.
Addressing the press following a crucial meeting with quarry stakeholders, Gachathi urged them to ensure they possess the required legal licenses for their operations, emphasising the importance of adhering to mining regulations since a failure to follow the rules will be a disaster in waiting for the locals and road users plying that route.
“We need responsible quarrying to safeguard our infrastructure and the lives of people, for the safety of all,” she stated. “This means obtaining the necessary licenses, including mining licenses, which some workers have been found neglecting,” she added.
Her directive was not well received by some of the quarry workers, who urged the authorities to seek an alternative solution to the issue instead of closing down the quarries that help them earn a living for their families.
Wanjiru Daudi, a quarry worker, shared her concern about the closure of quarries, as she depends on work to support her family and pay her grandchildren’s school fees.
Nancy Muthoni, another quarry worker, echoed this sentiment, revealing that she has relied on quarry jobs for years to make ends meet.
Reuben Kamau, a young jobseeker, said that the move was going to hurt many youths looking for jobs and appealed to the government to reopen the quarries, highlighting the struggle of joblessness in the community.
Molo’s Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), Ngura Mwamachi, stressed the importance of land reclamation after mining, underscoring the potential dangers posed by the forthcoming El-Nino rains if proper measures are not put in place.
In a bid to maintain law and order, the DCC reminded all quarry workers that night-time mining is illegal, further reiterating the importance of adherence to mining regulations to safeguard both their jobs and the environment.
The meeting with quarry stakeholders has shed light on the pressing need for a balance between economic activities and environmental preservation.
As the community grapples with job losses and infrastructure damage, stakeholders are now working collectively to address these pressing issues.
By Emily Kadzo and Lauryn Njambi
