Kitengela quarry blasts turn lives upside down

By Joseph Ngunjiri

Residents living close to a quarry in Kitengela have said the blasting has ruined their lives.

Residents of Milimani fear their houses – already showing cracks – may collapse if the blasting of rocks does not stop. 

“Every time the siren goes off your nerves are on edge. You know that a deafening blast will follow any time. This thing is bothering the children who have now grown fearful of any slight noise,” a resident, Peter Atara, said.

Every week, the blasts occur twice. Residents fear the foundations of their houses is being weakened.

Melchizedek Nyangara showed The Nairobian ugly cracks all over his house caused by the deadly blast.

“This quarry is destroying our lives. At this rate my house will be reduced to rubble if the blasts are not stopped,” Nyangara said.

Residents also have to put up with the dust that is produced during the grinding process.

It is worse during dry season as vegetation is covered by dust.

And some residents are apprehensive of the effects of prolonged exposure to the dust on their lungs.

“We have young children who are at risk of contracting respiratory diseases by inhaling the dust,” said a resident who did not want to be named.

The residents also complained of noise, which at times go on past midnight. “Not only is the noise a nuisance, it also masks other sounds especially at night.

There is the likelihood of thieves breaking in without neighbours hearing,” says Atara.

Attempts by residents to raise the issue with the National Environment Management Authority have not borne fruit as the watchdog has been too slow to act. The quarry management could also not comment.