Muthwani MCA George King'ori speaking during a security Baraza at Kilili market in Athi River, Machakos county on Thursday December 7, 2017.(Photo/Maugo/hivisasa.com)
Quarry dealers are enriching themselves as they impoverish locals in Mavoko, says Muthwani MCA George Kingori.
Kingori said hundreds of quarries in Muthwani ward had been invaded by non locals who do not comply with laws which regulate the quarrying industry.
“I will summon all the quarry dealers around so that we discuss how best they should operate to benefit the locals, they must operate within the laws,” said Kingori.
He spoke during a security public baraza at Kilili Market in Lukenya on Thursday.
Kingori said those who own quarries should give back to the community as Social Corporate Responsibilities.
He said they should stop exploiting those who work in quarries by paying them peanuts as their work under miserable terms and conditions of work.
“Muthwani residents are behind in terms of development even though they have lots of resources, roads are pathetic in Kwa Kalusia and Kilili,” said Kingori.
He threatened to petition the Machakos County to shut all quarries in the area if their operators do not comply to regulations and residents’ demands.
“The residents constitutional rights must be respected, I come from where development comes first before our stomach,” said Kingori.
Kingori said the region was underdeveloped despite the fact it remits more than Sh24 million monthly to Machakos Government as taxes.
He said the taxes were able to tarmac all feeder roads in the entire ward.
Kingori said several families had lost their loved ones in the quarries due to negligence on part of the cites owners and lack of protective gears.
“We lose a lot of people in the quarries on weekly basis as we gain nothing, they take adsvantage of the locals’ignorance to misuse them,” said Kingori.
He said he will push for implementation of the Kenya Gazette Supplement No.5 (Machakos County Acts No 4) passed by the house in 2016.
“According to the bill, these people are exploiting us. We are building other counties like Nairobi using the resources, we are the richest but poorest,” added Kingori.
“We want to change the trend so that we feel benefits of the quarries, I will ensure Muthwani changes under my leadership,” he concluded.