County leaders laud a draft bill on sand harvesting and management

Kitui, Sunday July 2, 2023.

KNA by Denson Mututo

Leaders and environmentalists in Kitui County have decried the massive destruction of the environment due to uncontrolled sand harvesting that has been taking place at rivers in the county.

The leaders led by Kitui Governor Dr Julius Malombe expressed regret that the uncontrolled sand harvesting that has been taking place for many years had resulted in severe environmental degradation in the County.

They were speaking on Saturday at Kitui Governor's office when members of a task force on sand harvesting and management handed over a report and a draft bill on sand harvesting and management to the governor.

According to the task force report, uncontrolled large-scale extraction of sand from local streams and rivers had resulted in massive soil erosion, loss of vegetation, water scarcity and pollution at the rivers, which are major water sources for the county residents.

The Kitui Sand Harvesting Management Task Force's Report has raised a number of recommendations that are meant to address numerous teething problems arising from unregulated sand harvesting in the area.

The task force chaired by the county CECM for environment Ms. Esther Musili was instituted two months ago by the Governor to investigate the environmental and social impact of sand harvesting in the county as well prepare a draft bill aimed at regulating the sand harvesting and management in the county. 

The report has highlighted the need for stricter regulations to protect the environment and ensure sustainable and manageable sand harvesting practices across the county.

Malombe welcomed the draft bill and noted that the County needed a policy and legislation to govern sand harvesting and management, its control, restoration and prevent further environmental destruction.

"This draft bill will ensure that only authorized community-based groups, Saccos or cooperatives will be allowed to engage in sand harvesting thereby reducing the number of illegal activities," said the governor.

"The licensing process could involve a thorough assessment of the potential environmental impact of the sand mining activities, as well as the adoption of sustainable practices to minimize damage to the ecosystem," the county boss added.

Additionally, the task force report recommended the creation of a monitoring and enforcement unit to ensure compliance with regulations. 

"This unit will be responsible for inspecting sand mining sites, monitoring the quantity of sand being extracted, and ensuring that those involved in the sand activities adhere to the guidelines set forth in their licenses," the Governor said.

According to the report, by implementing these measures, the task force aims to strike a balance between the economic benefits of sand harvesting and the preservation of the environment. Overall, these recommendations will not only help to protect the delicate ecosystem in Kitui County but also promote sustainable and responsible sand mining practices in the long run.

The task force report, further exposed damage to road infrastructure due to the unregulated and uncontrolled extraction of sand thus causing damage to infrastructure such as roads and bridges. 

It recommended the implementation of policies that will prioritize environmental conservation and ensure that sand harvesting is conducted in a manner that is sustainable and does not harm the ecosystem.

Malombe expressed his concern over the findings of the task force report and assured the public that he will take necessary actions to address the historical environmental destructive sand harvesting menace.

He emphasized the importance of balancing the economic benefits associated with sand harvesting with the need to protect the environment from destruction.

The Governor pledged to work with all relevant stakeholders including the relevant department at the national government to develop and enforce regulations that will safeguard the environment and promote responsible sand harvesting practices.

Overall, the report provides valuable insight into the detrimental effects of uncontrolled sand harvesting and sets a foundation for the implementation of sustainable solutions, and environmental penalties for offenders in Kitui County.

The governor said he will hand over the sand harvesting and management draft bill to the local county assembly to be debated and approved for adoption to pave the way for enforcement of the sand harvesting and management regulations.

During public consultations by the task force held through the public participation forums organized by the Sand Harvesting and Management Committee across Kitui County, the public expressed the need to take immediate measures to conserve and protect the rivers in Kitui from the exploitation of the sand resource.

The public forums lamented that there has been frustration in previous attempts to seek intervention from different state offices including NEMA, Kenya Police, County Government officers, County Commissioners and chiefs among others

The public cited opaqueness in the existing laws which have made it impossible for the public to hold any specific office responsible for consequences being witnessed as a result of continued damage to rivers.

Courtesy ; K. N. A