Mandera leaders have heaped praise on Deputy President William Ruto for promising to intervene on the quarry mining ban.
Led by Governor Ali Roba, the leaders say it will be a relief if the ban that was effected in 2018 is lifted.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the 6th devolution conference in Kirinyaga on Wednesday, Governor Roba said that the ban imposed on quarry mining continues to hurt the county’s economy.
“We are happy that the DP has promised to follow on the matter and ensure that the ban is lifted,” Governor Roba said.
He noted that the county’s mining and construction sector has stalled because of the ban.
The governor added that young people who worked in the quarry mines no longer have jobs.
"The situation is bad and we will appreciate if the government quickly intervenes and lifts the ban,” he added.
On Monday, Mandera Quarry Miners Association chairman Moses Munyiri said security has greatly improved hence need to lift the ban.
He observed that the mining sector had employed thousands of young people before the ban was imposed.
On Friday last week during the Pastoralists Summit 2019 in Garissa, DP Ruto promised to intervene on the quarry mining ban.
He said the government has heard the cries of Mandera people and will re-evaluate the decision.
Quarry mining in Mandera was suspended in 2018 as a result of suspected Al-shabaab attacks that were targeting non-locals in the mining fields.
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