The Mwingi Central Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), Omari Dima has cautioned residents of Kiomo Kyaithani ward in the sub county against interfering with ongoing sand harvesting at Kindaruma dam.
Speaking during Mashujaa Day celebrations at Wikithuki Primary School, Dima castigated a recent incident where the residents blocked trucks ferrying sand from the area.
Last week, the residents removed a road culvert along Mbondoni- Kindaruma dam road cutting off transportation along the feeder road. One of the residents hijacked a driver of a truck and drove away the truck but he hit an electricity pole.
The police are looking for the person who fled after hitting the electricity pole, which also cut off powers supply in the area.
Hundreds of the residents blocked the sand trucks demanding that the contractor withdraws sand loading trucks and instead give them the job of loading the trucks.
“The sand harvesting is a contract between Kitui county government and Kiambu county government and is meant for dislting the dam,’’ said the deputy county commissioner.
He warned residents that they will be arrested and prosecuted if they attempt to interfere with the ongoing sand trucking at the dam.
The DCC further noted that the sand harvesting at the dam site was long overdue as the sand was negatively affecting water volumes at the dam.
The dam is the main source of water for Mwingi region, including Mwingi town who depend on the Multi million Mwingi- Kiambere water supply project.
The area Member of Parliament, Charles Nguna who graced the occasion also condemned the residents’ attempt to block the sand trucking saying he was consulted before the contract was signed between the two counties.
“The area MCA was also consulted by our Governor, Chality Kaluki Ngilu and we allowed the contract which is very important for livelihoods of thousands of Mwingi residents who depend on Mwingi –Kiambere water supply project,” said the area MP.
Nguna further called on other contractors in need of the sand to seek for a similar contract with the Kitui county government as there is excess sand which needs to be removed.
Nguna assured his constituents that mitigation activities such as maintenance of the road had also been addressed in the contract.
“On your demand for jobs, we agreed that the contractor will use both manual and sand loading trucks so that you get jobs,” said the MP.
There are ten sand trucks at the site and the youths hardly loads two truck daily unless assisted by the loading truck.
By Denson Mututo