Two people arrested for defying NEMA orders to stop quarrying activities
This comes at a time the environment authority has intensified a crackdown on unlawful activities in a bid to restore order in the construction and mining sectors within the country.
Two quarry operators in the Mihang’o area of Embakasi East sub-county have been arrested by officers from the National Environment Authority (NEMA) for defying its orders.
The two were operating the quarries without the necessary compliance certificates and had defied earlier orders by NEMA to restore the state of the mines.
NEMA says the suspects also face charges of failing to implement measures to control air pollution from their activities.
“Two persons in charge of quarries and aggregate processing sites in Mihang’o were arrested for defiance in complying with the Authority’s Restoration Orders served earlier. The sites have failed to put in place measures to control air pollution and excessive vibrations from their operations that affected their neighbours,” NEMA said in a statement.
The arrest of the two comes at a time the environment authority has intensified a crackdown on unlawful activities in a bid to restore order in the construction and mining sectors within the country.
Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho two months ago issued a warning to illegal miners that the government would taken action against them.
In January, through the efforts of the Ministry, four illegal mineral harvesters were arrested.
The four, three Chinese nationals and a Kenyan, were arrested for seeking to sell copper, lead, zinc, and iron, among other minerals extracted from illegal mining activities.
They were arrested during an operation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in conjunction with the Mining Police Unit.
They were accused of dealing with at least ten minerals worth millions of shillings. During the operation, copper, zinc, lead, and Iron worth Ksh 200 million were among minerals impounded.
The seized minerals were illegally mined and traded at Kins and Shenad Business Parks and Eagle Plane Estate in Athi River in Machakos County.
Kitui, Migori, and Embu are among the other counties were illegal mining activities are prevalent.
