Are you a sand dealer? Are you planning to join the sand business? Well, here are a few things you need to know.
Machakos county assembly passed sand harvesting bill-2014 to regulate sand harvesting and quarrying activities in the country.
The bill also oversees sustainable exploitation and utilization of land.
The bill introduces three sand harvesting places; on-farm, lakeshore and river beds.
It is now illegal to harvest sand along river banks. Sand loaders should be of 18 years and above and resides within the harvesting site.
On-farm and lakeshore harvesting should not exceed 6 feet deep and should be done 50m from nearest river bank.
It should also be 100m away from any physical structure like building, bridge, road or railway.
Sand harvesting is only allowed between 10am to 6pm and after loading, the transportation should be done along designated roads.
Anyone breaking these laws will be fined Sh500,000 or 3 years in jail.
With many commercial and residential houses coming up, sand business is booming.