The Ministry of Mining and Blue Economy has deployed geologists to conduct a seismic assessment to landslide-prone areas within Murang’a County.
Already, a team of senior geologists has commenced the assessment in parts of Kangema Sub County where earth faults have been witnessed.
Mining Principal Secretary Elijiah Mwangi said on Wednesday that the assessment will help in making well-informed decisions on the utilisation of the land, which has been prone to landslides.
He noted that the geologists were deployed following a request by the Murang’a County Government to develop a long-term technical report after the assessment that will help prevent deaths and destruction of property occasioned by landslides.
In many parts of the upper zones of the county, the PS said they were affected by land and mudslides during the recent rains, leaving a trail of destruction.
“A team of senior geologists is already doing the seismic assessment at parts of Kangema. More geologists will be deployed to carry out the assessment in parts of Kahuro, Mathioya, Kigumo, and Gatanga that have been experiencing landslides during rainy seasons.
“Their report will guide the government in making decisions on the utilisation of land. We will be in a position to decide whether to relocate people from the areas and utilise the land by either planting trees or for other purposes,” added Mwangi.
Early on, a landslide hit Kiganjo village in Mathioya, killing six people and displacing more than 30 families.
“After the assessment, people who will be found living in risky areas, will be relocated. This is to ensure the safety of our people,” added the PS.
Meanwhile, Mwangi said his ministry is working in partnership with the local county government to invest in the value addition of local soils used to manufacture tiles.
“Murang’a has a kaolin type of soil. This soil is the raw material for tiles and is currently being mined, transported to other areas of the country, and even exported. We have asked the county government to get us a piece of land where we can bring investors and set up a tile manufacturing plant,” Mwangi said.
“Manufacturing the tiles locally will boost the economy of Murang’a and also provide employment opportunities to local youth. The kaolin soil is available in Gaturi and Mugoiri wards, and it can also be accessed from neighbouring counties.”
The Ministry, he noted, has launched the Rapid Results Initiative (RRI), targeting individuals who are mining in the country but do not have a license.
He said they are getting grassroots to have all artisanal miners registered and issued with mining licenses.
“The RRI is also to ensure anyone mining, buying, processing, or doing other business with minerals is fully registered to do away with illegal mining. This is to streamline the sector and ensure all miners are in cooperatives to benefit from government incentives, among other forms of support.
“I urge local artisanal miners, especially those who mine construction stones, to join cooperative societies. By doing so, they can apply for financial support from various government funds,” PS Mwangi added.
By Bernard Munyao
