A third lorry has been burnt in Mwala, Machakos County.

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The mob intercepted the vehicle that was transporting sand and torched it at Kabaa in Mbiuni ward on Monday.

This comes barely a week since two other lorries were burnt by irate residents in the same area claiming that their owners were involved in illegal sand harvesting.

Eyewitnesses said the lorry was intercepted and torched near Nyanyaa bridge on the fateful night while going to fetch sand from River Ndathi.

Residents said drivers of the vehicles were fond of transporting sand from the region at night thinking that they were asleep.

"We know they are fetching sand at night because they think we are asleep. Let them be warned that we are not going to allow them to fetch sand in this area," Sila Kalonzo said.

They accused the police and other government officials in the region of sleeping on their jobs.

The locals threatened to continue taking the law into their own hands until the government intervenes.

"These government officials have decided to sleep on their jobs. Some even escort the trucks to sand rich areas to fetch sand," said Musau.

They spoke to this writer in Mwala on Monday.

The residents said they will continue protecting their rivers from the culprits.

"These people make our rivers dry and we are the ones left suffering," added Musau.

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