[Miners at the quarries. The government has moved to close all quarries that have been deemed dangerous in Mandera.] (Photo/the-star.co.ke)The state has closed down unsafe quarries in Mandera to safeguard the lives of the residents in the area.
The closure of the quarries comes after a directive from The National Environment Management Authority.
According to the County director of environment Josiah Nyandoro, the quarries will remain closed until the residents refill those dug during mining.
The official said that the quarries have endangered the lives of the residents as well as animals, which he said keep falling into the pits. The county government ordered for the arrest and prosecution of any person who will defy the directive.
The officer was speaking during a meeting Mandera East deputy county commissioner Lawrence Omondi and chiefs of the area where several issues were discussed in detail.
Omondi called upon the area chiefs to support the move in order to protect residents and livestock from the hazards they are likely to face because of the pits in the area.
The pits have been filled with stagnant water, which has created a conducive environment for breeding of mosquitoes. Several residents have also lost their lives and those of their animals at the quarries in the past years.