Muthwani MCA George Kingori (left) converses with a youth from his ward at Mlolongo town, Machakos County on Saturday December 9, 2017
Residents of Lukenya location in Mavoko have criticized Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua for keeping silent on controversial asbestos buried on a private land by an investor in the area.
They said it was high time the governor intervenes to ensure urgent removal of the ‘poisonous’ materials from the land to protect lives.
“We only know one man in Ukambani, this is Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu who obtained court order to ensure asbestos were moved from the County,” a resident said.
“Mutua should do all it takes to ensure the Lukenya asbestos are removed if he is ‘man’ enough,” said another.
They spoke at a public baraza in Kilili market on Saturday.
The residents urged Muthwani MCA George Kingori to make follow up on the matter for the asbestos immediate removal.
Kingori said he will do all it takes to ensure the asbestos were removed.
“I am ready to pay ultimate price to ensure the poison is removed from the land even if it means losing my own life for the over 6,000 residents to live peacefully and healthy,” said Kingori.
“I will serve without fear or favor, investors should not take advantage of the residents’ vulnerability to effect illicit businesses on Mavoko land,” he added.
He said lives of the Lukenya residents must be protected and safeguarded just like Kenyans from other parts of the country.
“These are not only asbestos since they had been mixed with very poisonous substances before being buried on the land, a private investor duped an older woman who sold him the parcel of land that he was going to construct a house and use it as farm land only to bury the poison,” said Kingori.
Kingori said several residents had been affected by the substance.
“This is calamity in waiting, both Machakos and national government should intervene to ensure immediate removal of the asbestos,” said Kingori.
He said Kenya Power had refused to connect Kilili and Kwa Kalusyia areas to electricity due to the substance.
“Kenya Power has refused to connect the area to electricity, they have threatened to remove the high voltage power in the area claiming it reacts to the poison,” said Kingori.
Kingori urged the residents not to demonstrate and instead remain calm as he raises the issue with Machakos and national governments.
He expressed confidence in both the governments and assured the locals the substances will be removed as soon as possible.