Nyong’o puts illegal sand harvesters on notice
Governor complains that Kisumu County is staring at an environmental crisis due to land degradation
Illegal sand and murram harvesters who have invaded both private and public land as well as gazetted forests risk arrest and prosecution.
Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o warned individuals engaging in such activities that they will not be tolerated and their days were numbered.
Addressing the press at his City Hall office, Nyong’o complained that the county is staring at an environmental crisis in the future due to land degradation as a result of unchecked harvesting. He pointed out that sand and murram harvesting along river beds and road reserves were at an alarming spike and needed to be reined in.
“All polluters and degraders of environment engaged in this act within the County will pay hefty fines and will be forced to restore the areas damaged once apprehended” he said
“We have noticed prime lands within the county including but not limited to areas like Odhengo Hills within Amimo village in North Kapuonja,Kanyakwar,Kajulu,Nyakach ,Usoma Beach ,Kolwa Central ,Miwani area ,Mbaka Oromo, North Seme amongst others becoming environmental hotspots as a result of greed from certain groups” he said.
Nyong’o further stated that any person who wanted to undertake sand harvesting, mining or murraming activities in Kisumu must conform to the provisions of the law of the County.
He assured that his county government will be working closely with the state department of mining on matters of artisanal mining to ensure it operates optimally but guided by the law and they will enhance governance and formalisation efforts through Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to help minimise environmental impacts of mining and promote sustainability adding that sand, murram, ballast and. Building stones harvesting must be also licensed by the county government.
He however regretted that his government had noticed a disturbing trend on how the resources are poorly harvested disregarding the existing legislation and administrative framework in the County.
The second term governor welcomed the State Department of Mining’s directive that all dealers in precious metals and stones to abide by all statutory County and National Government’s requirements by registering with the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC) by April 11 2025.
The National Sand Harvesting Guidelines, 2007 apply to all sand harvesting activities in Kenya and are aimed at ensuring sustainable utilization of sand resources and proper management of the environment.
The government has introduced Environmental Management and Coordination (Sand Harvesting) regulations, 2024.
“The application [for permit] shall be accompanied by proof of the Environmental Impact Assessment License showing the source of the sand being transported; personal details of the applicant; details of mode of transportation of the sand; and the fee specified in the Fourth Schedule.”
