Residents of Mwala Constituency in Machakos County on Tuesday strictly banned the sale and harvest of sand in and near two rivers namely Miondoni and Yathui River.
Speaking during a meeting held together with the area residents of Yathui and Miondoni locations on Tuesday morning, the area chief Steven Kiki said that the residents had with one accord agreed on the decision following the uncoordinated sale of sand by some residents.
“Some residents have been collaborating with some sand buyers in Nairobi and benefiting themselves selfishly from the property owned jointly with the community. Together the residents have termed selling of sand in Yathui and Miondoni River as illegal,” said Kiki.
Kiki was addressing the baraza that was held at Yathui chief’s camp. He further cautioned that any lorry found ferrying sand even during the night hours would directly result in the arrest of the owner and the driver.
“The residents are determined to take care of their property and therefore have put consequences to any persons found buying or harvesting sand,” said Kiki.
This comes less than a week ago after residents of Mumbuni called upon the area OCPD Joseph Mugo to ensure that the sale of sand could not go on in Mwitasyano River in Mwala Sub-County.
The residents have stated that apart from being duped of their property by selfish individuals the environment is being put at a risk as well as their lives.
The extreme sand harvest can cause water shortage in the rivers. If there was no sand than rivers can not hold water for a long time after the rains are gone.