Sand harvesting site. [Photo/standardmedia.co.ke]The cost of construction is expected to go up after the government through the Ministry of Mining banned sand mining in six counties including Nairobi County in a move to curb increased quarry deaths.
In a statement, the Ministry of Mining said that it had deployed assessors to various mining sites to establish the level of safety of quarry workers in association with National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA).
“In order to curb the menace (quarry deaths), the Ministry has with immediate effect, deployed inspectors to all affected counties,” the statement reads in part.
The six affected counties are Makueni, Kajiado, Nairobi, Kitui, Embu and Isiolo, where the ministry said they experienced the highest number of deaths while on site.
In addition, the Ministry threatened anyone who will carry out sand mining contrary to the latest ban of thorough consequences among them revocation of licenses and prosecution.
“The deployed inspectors will work alongside National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), occupational and safety officials and county officers to carry out an audit of al quarry and sand harvesting sites,” the statement further reads.
In the recent past construction has experienced a significant growth, with national and county governments heavily investing in the infrastructure development projects.