The National Environment Management Authority (Nema) has now embarked on the process to rehabilitate open quarries in Juja sub-county of Kiambu County.
Kiambu County director of environment, Josey Njoki, said that Nema has stopped operations in all quarries which have not been approved.
Njoki noted that Kiambu County has several quarries that are abandoned.
“These quarries were excavated long time ago in early 1970s and Nema is searching for those who were using them to come back and do rehabilitation,” she said.
She, however, called on members of the public to report all the quarries that are no longer in use and those people carrying out quarry activities along road reserves.
The environment director admitted that it is a challenge sealing and carrying out rehabilitation of quarries since it is not a one-day event.
“We must assure the public to take precautionary measures even as the process is ongoing since it will take several years,” she reiterated.
She also argued that the many quarries that are open today were not excavated in one day and the public should participate in the rehabilitation process willingly as it will help safeguard their co-existence in the affected areas.
She called on the county government to support the move.