Residents of Syuuni and Kyangulu in Kathiani sub-county have called on the government to lift the ban on sand harvesting.
They said the slap on sand harvesting has limited their options for earning a living.
Gathered at the Kathiani chief's office on Thursday, they said the ban slapped about three months ago had affected the economy of the traders who sold the product.
The ban was effected by the National Environmental Management Authority about 90 days ago.
Kathiani chief John Mainda called on the residents to be patient as their leadership pursues the matter with NEMA.
But defending NEMA, the environmental body's officer in charge of Kathiani sub-county Lukas Mwove said trade in sand had led to environmental degradation in the area.
He said the move to stop sand harvesting aimed at stopping soil erosion.
He said continuing with sand harvesting was disastrous ahead of the El-Nino rains.Mr Mwove was speaking in his office on Thursday.