State bans sand harvesting in Homa Bay to avert disaster

Sand harvesters loading trucks in Rachuonyo, Homa Bay County. [James Omoro, Standard]

The government has stopped mining activities in flood-prone areas to avert damage and loss of lives in Homa Bay County.

Flooding in many parts of the county has been attributed to mining, especially sand harvesting.

Rachuonyo North sub-county where sand mining is the economic mainstay is the worst affected by floods.

The affected villages are Osodo and Chwowe where huge tracts of land have been damaged due to sand mining.

"Sand harvesting is a serious problem affecting our land and it also contributes to floods affecting us," said Willis Omulo, an environment conservation activist in the area.

This has prompted authorities to move to curb the menace.

Homa Bay Commissioner Moses Lilan said 4,860 families have been affected by floods out of which 1,283 have been displaced.

Lilan issued a stop order against mining in the area.

"We have issued a stop order against any mining activities in this area. Mining can cause loss of lives, injuries and destruction of property during the ongoing bad weather," he said.

The commissioner was accompanied by Karachuonyo MP Adipo Okuome, Homa Bay county CECMs Mercy Osewe (Governance), Danish Onyango (Roads), and Kenya Red Cross Society's Samuel Omondi during relief food distribution to flood victims at Osodo Primary School in Rachuonyo North.

Lilan warned that mining can cause damage to property, injuries and loss of lives.

He said the order was arrived at after a meeting with relevant government agencies in the county.

"Our security agencies are going to be firm in ensuring the order is implemented. We want our people to be safe," he said.

Okuome regretted that sand harvesting had damaged infrastructure including roads and electricity poles in the area.

"Sand harvesting has done a lot of harm in this area. Stopping it will cushion our people from the ongoing damages," he said.

The leaders distributed assorted foodstuffs including cooking oil, beans, salt and flour to flood victims. The items were distributed to residents by the County Disaster Committee through the support of the Kenya Red Cross Society.