Locals fury as Makueni opens old wound in sand mining
A section of Makueni county residents and conservationists are up in arms after the county government opened up some earth dams and rivers for commercial sand mining as governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior’s administration eyes Sh47 million in taxes from the building material to fund its Sh11 billion budget for the 2024/2025 financial year.
This marks the end of a 10-year lull on commercial sand harvesting in the county.
In navigating the thin line between sand conservation and utilisation, the county government rides on class differences between youthful sand loaders who eke a living from the economic activity and the rest of the community who feel sand harvesting portends aggravated water scarcity in the region.
“We will not allow any commercial sand harvesting in the region until a proper public participation is conducted, all and every information [about the commercial sand harvesting] shared, and the views and environmental rights and aspirations of the people of Kiimakiu/Kalanzoni Ward taken into account,” reads a petition by a section of Kiimakiu/Kalanzoni Ward residents. It is signed by David Kioko, Paul Mwololo, and Shadrack Nzioka. Commercial sand harvesting entails opening up dams and rivers to sand miners.
The petition has, however, not cowed the county government from sanctioning commercial sand harvesting in the ward. Mr Kilonzo Jnr confirmed that commercial sand harvesting was underway at Kilombo Dam in the ward.
“At no point have we sanctioned commercial sand harvesting in Ndovoini or that river near Kalawani Township; only for local use. In Kilombo, we are desilting the dam hence the move to allow commercial sand harvesting. We need to desilt it before the onset of the short rains,” Mr Kilonzo Jnr told the Nation in a statement.
The governor spoke on the day Makueni County Sand Conservation and Utilisation Authority the county agency tasked with managing sand, banned its harvesting at River Ndovoini, a day after county government officials opened it up for commercial sand harvesting, amid intense outcry from the community.
Urbanus Ndunda, the acting Sand Authority managing director announced a meeting on Thursday to address reports of sand smuggling .
The Sand Authority says sand miners are bound by sand harvesting rules contained in the Makueni Sand Conservation and Utilisation Act, 2015.
The rules include a ban on sand harvesting and transportation at nigh. The assurance notwithstanding, the county government has not secured a widespread buy in as it moves to strike a delicate balance between sand conservation and utilization. The misgivings are partly informed by deep seated concerns over transparency and accountability after graft claims shrouded a previous attempt at opening earth dams for commercial sand harvesting last year.
This is the crux of the petition against commercial sand harvesting which calls on Mr Kilonzo Jnr to act.
In leaked documents seen by the Nation, Mr Kilonzo Jnr has directed his Environment and Climate Change Executive Nicholas Nzioka to explain the circumstances under which a Makueni Assembly committee exonerated Kiimakiu /Kalanzoni MCA Justus Mwanzia, the then Makueni Sand Authority managing director Phillip Nzei and the then Environment and Climate Change Executive Sonnia Nzilani after they were implicated in questionable sand deals.
On his part, Mr Nzioka has passed the baton to Mr Ndunda. The Makueni County Assembly Environment committee chaired by Mukaa MCA Joseph Muema was reportedly unable to tell how much sand miners had harvested as there were no records of transactions available. Mr Kilonzo Jr has since transferred Mr Nzei and Ms Nzilani. “We are fixing the Sand Authority and reclaiming it’s lost glory,” Makueni Environment and Climate Change Executive Nicholas Nzioka told the Nation.
“Wanton sand harvesting is courting death since water is life. Some neighbouring communities travel long distances for water in our area because uncontrolled sand harvesting has depleted their rivers,” said Rabecca Nzisa, a teacher who grows assorted vegetables along River Kaiti.
The venture is hinged on Kwa Matungu Sand Dam. According to conservationists, the dozens of sand dams across rivers in the region have restored the rivers and thrown a lifeline to riparian communities by addressing water shortage and food security.
Makueni Water Executive John Kieti says sand dams constructed across River Kaiti provide more than 70 per cent of the water needed at Wote Town, the county headquarters.
“It can take us one season of wanton sand harvesting to reverse a decade of sand conservation,” said Tangai Munari, a sand conservationist.
In 2014, the then Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana drew the wrath of sand miners, merchants and transporters by banning the lucrative trade after residents decried environmental degradation, moral decay and lawlessness associated with commercial sand harvesting in area rivers.
The ensuing confrontation led to injuries, destruction of government vehicles and deaths, including that of Geoffrey Kasyoki, a vocal Makueni police officer who openly championed sand conservation.
At least six suspected sand merchants have fled their homes around Kasikeu Township, which was a major flashpoint of the skirmishes associated with wanton sand harvesting and trade.
It took the enacting and implementation of the Makueni sand law in 2015 for sand merchants to relent and eventually surrender.
The sand law creates the sand agency which is charged with enacting the sand law. It has an elaborate formula which spells out how proceeds of sand should be equitably distributed.
The law has earned the county praise at the United Nations Environmental Programme for fostering environmental conservation.
Thanks to the law, many rivers crisscrossing the region, which had turned into canyons due to wanton sand mining, have since recovered significantly.
This has spawned multiple farming ventures along the rivers that were once battlefields between hirelings of sand dealers against sand conservationists and riparian communities as authorities looked the other way.
mukusyamaundu@gmail.com
Shows
See AllAM Live
AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.
Business Redefined
Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.
Comedies
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Entertainment
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Full Episodes
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Gumzo La Sato
Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.
Health Diary
Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.
Letter To My Younger Self
Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.
Nation Reports
Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.
One Health Lens Podcast
Discussing health matters and human stories from Kenya and across Africa. We talk big picture from people to policy, ecosystems, and everything in between. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onehealthlens
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.
Speaking of GEN Z
Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.
Sport On
Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.
Tech-over
The extent of technological growth is beyond mere acknowledgment; it has seamlessly integrated into our daily existence. A few years ago, the notion of paying electricity bills through mobile money or recharging with 'tokens' in Kenya seemed inconceivable. Online product sales were considered distant, and artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping various facets of our lives. Amidst these technological leaps, those with a solid understanding of tech can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a sustainable livelihood. Tech over Show aims to be the platform facilitating discussions among thought leaders, innovators, tech companies, and the government, addressing challenges and opportunities in Kenya's thriving tech industry.
Thamani
Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.
The Politalk podcast
This is The Politalk podcast. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.
The Trend
A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.
The trend podcast
The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA
The Wicked Edition
The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience
Trending
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Twende
Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.
Unscripted
This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.
VIP Access
VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.
WADR
This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.
When death do us part
In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.
Your World
Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.