In summary
- The residents say that a member who has respiratory complications died as a result of intolerable dust from the quarry activities
- They say house break-ins and loss of property have also been happening in the area.
Residents of Myland estate an extension of Utawala that lies in Mavoko Subcounty, Muthwani Ward now want the government to close an illegal quarry in the estate.
A five acre piece of land set aside for public utility has allegedly been invaded by people from outside the estate who do quarry activities.
The residents have raised complaints that the estate has now become intolerable due to noise pollution and dust from the quarry activities
Nancy Maero a resident of Mylands estate says that as women, they have had to battle with frequent illnesses with their children because of the dust that they keep inhaling due to the trucks that keep passing by their homes.
The residents say that a member who has respiratory complications died as a result of intolerable dust from the quarry activities.
Houses full of dust
The women complained that their houses are always full of dust.
The women’s daily activities have also been affected.
They say they have now resolved to washing clothes during the night to dodge the dust during the day.
During peaceful demonstrations to demonize the illegal quarry activities in the estate the residents raised concern over the rising insecurities.
They complained of unknown bodaboda riders and truck crews loitering in their estate. They say house break-ins and loss of property have also been happening in the area.
John Oduor the chairman for the Residents Association complain that some of the members have resolved to relocate their families to different areas as they wait for the government to close the quarry mine. Peter Chege a resident and a business owner in the estate was forced to close his hotel business and swimming pool business as the dust became a health Hazzard for his customers.
While counting losses he has suffered from the illegal quarry mine Mr chege said that he is on the verge of breaking down after closing his hotel business and having part of his perimeter wall fall off due to tremors from the loaded trucks that pass-by his construction site.
Peaceful demonstrations
During the peaceful demonstrations the area OCS visited the quarry mine and listened to the residents grievances then asked the residents to disperse and wait for the relevant authorities to work on the matter.
According to the resident’s association chairman, since Last year July they have been battling with the quarry miners to stop the illegal quarry activities but a lasting solution has not come forth.
Despite writing letters to the security authority in the area and also contacting NEMA the chairman says that NEMA officers visited the quarry site and ordered the shut down of the illegal activities but they are still ongoing. The residents have complained that their efforts to close stop the quarry activities have been frustrated they now want higher authorities to hear their plea.
The association covers 4,000 acres piece of land with already 4300 plots developed.
By Milo George
