The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has issued a directive to the Murang’a county security committee, urging the suspension of stone, sand, and clay quarry operations due to the heightened risk of collapse posed by ongoing heavy rains.
In a letter addressed to the county security committee and signed by the county NEMA director Sarah Waruo, local chiefs, their assistants, and members of Nyumba Kumi have been instructed to conduct inspections of quarries within their jurisdictions.
They are further advised to consider suspending quarry operations to safeguard the lives of artisanal miners.
Murang’a county hosts numerous quarries across its sub-counties, and recent heavy rainfall has increased the vulnerability of these sites to collapse.
Just in the second week of April, a quarry in the Maragi area collapsed, resulting in injuries to two miners who were subsequently admitted to Murang’a Level 5 Hospital for several weeks.
Additionally, mudslides have been reported in various parts of the county, obstructing local roads and damaging farms.
Given the wet conditions, NEMA underscores the urgent need to halt quarry operations until the rains subside to prevent potential disasters.
The letter from NEMA emphasizes the importance of vigilance by the county security committee to identify quarries at risk of collapse promptly.
Any such sites are to be closed immediately to avert loss of life in the event of a collapse.
Simultaneously, the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) has ordered the closure of a section of the Murang’a-Kiriani road following a mudslide in the Gaturi ward area.
This incident has left motorists vulnerable to dangerous conditions along parts of the road, with more than 10 sections partially blocked by debris and boulders.
Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes, such as the St. Mary-Gitugi-Kiriaini and Gakonya-Mukurweini roads, as KeNHA engineers work to repair the affected sections.
Central Region KeNHA Engineer Francis Kimata stressed the critical nature of the Murang’a-Kiriani road and urged cooperation from motorists during the repair process.
Over the past two weeks, residents have raised concerns about mudslide incidents near the Mathioya River bridge, underscoring the pressing need for safety measures amidst adverse weather conditions.
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