Nakuru county government has suspended sand harvesting at several quarries citing environmental hazard and general risk to harvesters.
The quarries where sand harvesting has been suspended include Mbariki East, Mbarut, Kamatha and Maai Mahiu in Naivasha Sub County.
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, county Natural Resource and Energy Director, Kiogora Murithi, said the closure will be implemented immediately.
He said the county in collaboration with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) reached the decision to suspended sand harvesting until further notice.
“We have suspended sad harvesting at various quarries to enable an audit on the safety of sand harvesters and environmental hazards caused to human and wildfire,” said Murithi.
The Director said that police will be deployed and the closed quarries to keep off harvesters who may defy the order.
He noted that the closure was also necessitated by the heavy downpour being experienced in the county which could lead to landslides.
Murithi said that activities will resume once an audit has been completed and assessment on the same done.