A senior official in the Ministry of Roads and Public Works in Nakuru County has warned people involved in illegal harvesting of building materials on roads.
Speaking with this writer on Thursday during a roads inspection tour in Mawanga and Teachers estates Engineer, Samuel Lumiti, said some construction workers were paying unemployed youths to collect volcanic rocks on murram roads in the town’s suburbs which they use in their building businesses.
“The county government is aware that some people are using youths to collect rocks on marrum roads which they use in their construction deals.They should be warned that it is illegal and those found will be prosecuted because they are stealing from the public for personal gains,’’ said Lumiti.
Lumiti added, most people assume that roads, especially in semi urban and rural areas are not monitored by the government.
The county government said illegal harvesters were targeting mostly the black volcanic precious rocks that are mined off by tractors during road construction and repair and which are common in the area.
According to the official, the rocks are most sought after by interior and exterior designers and fetch them substantial amounts of income.
He challenged the perpetrators to apply for a license from the government so that they do not illegally gain from public resources.