We are innocent, says Samchi

By Vitalis Kimutai

The National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) has instructed H-Young East Africa Limited and Ajiwa Samchi Limited to remove boulders that have blocked rivers in areas where they are undertaking quarrying activities.

Kipkoech Rop, the Nema officer in charge of Bureti/Sotik Districts said there were many complaints from the public over quarry boulders finding their way to river Kisaile, hindering the free flow of water.

Rop also said a Nema study undertaken last April showed dust had settled on crops affecting their growth and causing farmers to incur agricultural losses.

“We have directed the companies to water roads in their area, and also water the stone crashers in their asphalt plants,” Rop said

But Jamil Samchi, a director with Ajiwa Samchi Company, said the company operations had been given a clean bill of health by the Mines and Geology Department, Public Health Ministry and Nema.

“We have complied with all the set rules and conditions by the relevant Government department,” Jamil told The Standard.

Efforts to get a comment from managers at H-Young East African Company Limited were fruitless as The Standard team was turned away by guards manning the gates at its asphalt plant in Kaplong and at its offices in Sotik town.

Calls to the firm also went unanswered, as did text messages sent to a manager there.