National Environment Management Authority (Nema) and security officers conducted a crackdown on illegal sand harvesting in Homa Bay, arresting six people.
Last week, a multi-sectoral team comprised of Nema, security officers, the Homa Bay government, and residents agreed to team up in order to eradicate hazardous sand harvesting on illegal mining sites.
The team also prohibited sand harvesting in at least three villages in Wang Chieng ward, Rachuonyo North subcounty, where illegal mining was taking place.
Kobuya, Osodo, and Rakwaro are the villages.
The team, led by Rachuonyo North deputy county commissioner Aaron Koross, Homa Bay Nema director Josiah Nyandoro, and some residents, visited the areas last week and closed them due to illegal sand harvesting.
The team noted levels of environmental damage caused by the activities in their assessment.
According to Nyandoro, they agreed to begin controlling sand harvesting activities in the area in order to protect the environment and benefit residents.
He stated that the National Environment Management Authority is on high alert and will continue to crack down on the sites and arrest those involved in illegal activities.
On Friday, Nyandoro said the six people arrested had 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.
Mining sites should be subjected to an environmental impact assessment before any mining activities begin, according to Nema laws.
During the assessment process, Nema considers construction, operation, and decommissioning. According to Nyandoro, the sites they closed were 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 stated that the crackdown will be extended to stone mining.
He claimed that illegal stone excavation was taking place in Rachuonyo North, Rangwe, and Rachuonyo South subcounties.
Illegal mining exposes water pipes in multimillion-shilling water projects, destroys electricity poles, and causes soil erosion during rainstorms by scooping sand.
Crop production is also hampered as the fertile top soil erodes.
“They damage roads and interfere with communication. We’ll continue arresting people and charge them,” Nyandoro said.
