Residents in Mwala, Machakos County have called for a total ban on sand harvesting in Athi River.
The move is aimed at protecting the perennial water source.Speaking on Tuesday, environment activist Charles Muendo said that the activity has led to barren riverbeds across the county.He noted that temperatures have risen from 26°Celsius to 31°celsius.“We can’t sit and watch as our environment is destroyed. The government ought to completely outlaw sand harvesting,” said Muendo.He said that the activity has destroyed the small islands which hippos graze on thus forcing them to invade farms and destroy crops.The county government of Machakos passed the Sand Harvesting Act 2014 to regulate the exploitation of river beds for building materials, but the law seems not have been a deterrent to business people engaging in the trade.On Monday, parents of Inyanzaa, Mbingoni and Kaknyweni schools in Masinga sub-county raised concerns over their children engaging in sand harvesting.The parents lamented that the business had not only destroyed their rivers but their families too as children were dropping out of school to be employed as casual labourers in the harvesting fields.