Kajiado: Residents of Nkurunka village cry foul over mining activities causing havoc

Residents of Nkurunka village, Kajiado East are crying foul over deep mining that has closed major public roads and interfered with electricity connections causing untold environmental degradation.

Despite numerous attempts by locals to seek help and guidance from the county Ministry of Environment and National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), over the years the blasting and quarrying menace has continued to the chagrin of suffering residents.

Deep mining effects

Public roads in the area have been reduced to impassable quarries due to the extensive unregulated heavy blasting. Locals are now forced to walk along the risky mines while motorists have been cut off.

Billowing dust mines turned into risky mosquito breeding dams is also said to adversely affect locals’ health.

Electricity poles have been left loosely hanging, exposing those connected to the grid to danger with some claiming to have lost electronics to the interruptions.

Locals claim the degradation which has shut down transport in the area has been occasioned by an individual who owns adjacent land.

They further allege the individual has been bribing relevant officers privy to the illegal mining.

According to correspondents seen by the media, the local community raised concerns with relevant bodies dating back to 2020 but no action has since been taken.

“We raised alarm immediately when the blasting encroached on the public road but our efforts were in vain. The individual continued mining until the road totally shut. The mining also extended to other roads,” Sholinke MCA, Stephen Kisemei who is also among the most affected residents said.

In one of the letters, the county ministry of environment acknowledged that the quarrying has destroyed public roads.

NEMA in its reply to the community complaints admits the quarrying is illegal and risky. However, mining is still active in what locals term as massive corruption by the officers who frequent the area to collect bribes.

“The mining danger is glare. The relevant bodies are aware but have ignored our plight,” Rigan Topoika, a resident said.

The residents now want the Director of Criminal investigations to investigate the conduct of NEMA officials involved.

They also appeal to the Cabinet Secretary of Lands Soipan Tuya to intervene and address the menace which they say continues at a higher rate.

The multimillion quarries major in mining hardy building stones which have a ready market.

For these and more credible stories, join our revamped Telegram and WhatsApp channels.

Telegram: https://t.me/peopledailydigital

WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va698juDOQIToHyu1p