Society resolves to advertise quarrying bids afresh

A farmers' society in Matungulu, Machakos County, has resolved to invite fresh bids for quarrying in its 600-acre land where building stone deposits have been discovered.

The decision was arrived at by Mukamukuu Farmers Cooperative Society’s 2,600 members during a special general meeting held last week, which was led by the organisation's chairman, Dominic Nthwao.

Last year, the society penned a 15-year lease agreement with a Kiambu-based company, Kyeleni Valley Ventures, to begin exploiting building stones in the expansive land, but the society's management committee cancelled the deal.

According to the lease agreement between the two parties seen by The Standard, Kyeleni Valley Ventures had committed to pay the society an initial amount of Sh26 million within the first three months of exploration and sampling of building stones in at least three acres of the expansive land.

However, the quarrying company had paid only Sh3 million within the designated period.

It was then that the society's chairman, Mr Nthwao, directed the stoppage of quarrying activities in a letter dated January 21, 2020.

“You are hereby given notice to stop all quarrying activities with immediate effect. The society management takes this firm decision following your inability to pay your rent as clearly stipulated in the lease agreement clause 3.5b,” read the letter, addressed to the directors of Kyeleni Valley Ventures.

It was during the special general meeting where members of the society, upon evaluating the chairman’s report, resolved to have fresh bids for quarrying advertised and suitably qualified companies shortlisted for vetting.

Members also instructed the management committee to create a provision for the approval of up to 12 different quarrying companies to carry out simultaneous exploitation.