Tension remains high at Kinanie in Athi River, Machakos County after locals forcefully shut down operations at the expansive quarries.
Agitated locals on Tuesday engaged in a scuffle with lorry operators accusing them of illegally turning up to ferry construction stones, prompting drivers to scamper for safety to avert further confrontations.
The disputed quarries, which occupy over 200 acres of communal land, were shut down by a national multi-agency team and the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) over compliance.
However, some individuals defied the directive and commenced operations which triggered unrest among locals.
Angry locals question operations at the mines despite the closure notice.
They also question how individuals who do not own the land had gained entry to the quarries to mine and ferry stones.
"Today we have decided to evict the operators from the quarries because the operations are illegal. We are the land owners and we stopped further activities due to the notice issued. We are up and running seeking compliance. Who are these people who have invaded our land? We fear that the rogue cartels who began operating illegally intend to grab our land, " Jackson Kasamu said.
According to the locals, in recent months, some rogue investors have been refusing to pay land owners monthly rent charged for mining activities claiming to have paid the county government.
"We do not understand how investors can defy a lease agreement with a land owner and instead claim to have paid the county government for mining activities. We see this as a skim deployed to oppress the poor. The County government only collects spelt County levy and the claims by the rogue investors are unfounded," John Mutua said.
The locals now want the county government to intervene in the matter.
"Our jobs are at stake because of the closure of the quarries. We are ready to be guided by Nema on matters compliance but we fear cartels might be eying to evict us from the quarries using cavalier methods. We appeal to our governor Wavinya Ndeti to consider this matter urgent. We also appeal for a crisis meeting between the multi-agency team and all locals," Syokau Mutinda said.
The closure of the quarries is a big blow to approximately 10,000 people who earn a living from the operations in the area whose main economic activity is mining.
"The economy of this area has completely been shut down. All businesses including hotels and shops entirely depend on persons working at the quarries. We fear that if the closure takes a longer period our youths will begin engaging in criminal activities," Ann Mutie noted.
The renowned Kinanie quarries, which produce building stones and murram used to construct roads, offer lucrative business with at least 300 lorries reported to ferry the materials daily.
The closure has also left transporters counting losses with tens of lorries parked.
"I own several lorries which entirely ferry stones from the quarries but I have now been forced to park them. Getting materials supply is a challenge and changing source of supply also means adjusting cost," Ali Sharif, a lorry driver, lamented.
