Residents of Kitanga in Machakos town have protested illegal sand harvesting on roads in the area which they claim has made them incur great losses.
In an exclusive interview with some of the locals on Sunday, the residents said lorries trickle into the area collecting sand from the roads on daily basis despite the sand harvesting ban imposed by the Machakos County Government several months ago.
The residents now want Machakos government together with National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) to join forces in ensuring the sand harvesting ban is adhered to.
"Sand harvesting along the roads has led to total destruction of the roads and environment and stringent measures need to be put in place," resident Musau Ndunda.
Ndunda said the most affected road is the one linking Kathome with Kitanga which has been left deplorable due to the menace.
Last week, nine people were arrested in Ndalani after a fight erupted between residents and people who had come with a lorry to ferry sand.
This incident occurs despite Machakos county commissioner Matilda Sakwa issued a stern warning that anyone found scooping sand on roads will be dealt with according to the law.