Machakos Water Sewerage Company in conjunction with The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) on Tuesday morning banned sand harvesting in Machakos County.
Among areas where sand sand harvesting and sale was banned include; Syuuni, Kalama, Kanyongo and Kyangulu.
Addressing Kalama residents who had launched a complain to the two institutions late last week, Machakos Water and Sewarage Company chairperson, Dr Lukas Mwove, said the move is critical due to the negative effects it has to the enviroment.
Mwove said that no person or group of people will be allowed to harvest sand in those area.
“The reason why we are banning this activity is to protect public utility from destruction and environmental degradation,” said Mwove
Mwove said that the harvesting activity had become rampant and residents had started fearing for their lives.
“Last week we had some rains but no water was retained in the rivers as a result of extreme sand removal from the rivers,” noted Mwove.