Governor bans sand harvesting

By ALI ABDI

ISIOLO; KENYA: The building and construction sector in Meru County is set to be affected after neighbouring Isiolo suspended sand harvesting.

Construction in main urban centres in Meru heavily relies on sand from rivers in Isiolo District.

However, a move by defunct Nyambene County Council, upheld by Meru County government to erect a barrier near Ngaremara to collect cess from sand transporters from both Meru and Isiolo led to protest from transporters and leadership in Isiolo.

The barriers manned by revenue officers of the two county governments each charge a cess of Sh1,500 per truck. On Sunday, enforcement officers of Isiolo County government impounded at least four lorries from Meru side, accusing their owners of refusing to pay cess.

Isiolo County Governor Godana Doyo, in his speech during Madaraka Day, banned sand harvesting indefinitely in Isiolo Central division.

‘‘This ban will be indefinite until the row with Meru is resolved,’’ declared Mr Doyo.

The coordinator of Waso Trustland Project Hassan Shano faulted officials of the defunct Nyambene County Council for putting up an Administration Police, a chief’s camp and a cess barrier in an area that is on Isiolo side.

Border dispute

‘‘We have a big border dispute with Meru in areas such as Gotu, Shaba Hill, Gambella, Chumvi Yare and parts of Ngaremara. But Nyambene went further and put up structures in areas that are in Isiolo,’’ said Shano.

Doyo said his Government will take the boundary dispute to the National Land Commission and Land Tribunal.

In the meantime, he said no sand harvesting will take place, adding that all collection sites are located within Isiolo County. The governor also noted that there was a big problem of land grabbing in Isiolo Central that needed to be addressed.

Sand harvesters from both Meru and Isiolo called on county governments to resolve their differences quickly to ensure that the building sector is not affected.