Sand harvesting has been a major economic activity in many parts of Ukambani especially in Masinga sub-county.
However, elites from Masinga have advocated for a stop in sand harvesting claiming that it's more disastrous than advantageous.
Speaking to local news reporters a senior engineer from the region, Mr David Mutuku said that the regions that have practised sand harvesting for decades and decades are still in deep poverty.
"I try to figure out the development sand harvesting has brought in regions like Kikuumini location which is here in Masinga, where residents have sold sand for eternity, and for sure there is no development brought by that economic activity," said Engineer Mutuku.
The Engineer said that a better alternative to sand in construction is stone dust collected in quarries and blast crushers.
"I worked as a contractor in building Machakos University and I managed to oversee construction of a big five story building without any sand used, but instead, used stone dust," explained Engineer Mutuku.
Mutuku was supported by another professional from Masinga, named Lawrence Mwanza who explained how sand harvesting is making Masinga's environment worse and worse by accelerating drying up of rivers and erosion too.
"We are announcing to those who own lorries and trucks which come to collect sand from Masinga, that that has come to an end and they should look for other businesses," said Mwanza.
The two named sand harvesting as the major cause of children, especially boys, dropping out of school to get hired in filling up sand in lorries which gives them easy money which leads them into drug abuse.