Outcry as quarry mines are closed by Murang’a County Government.

Once vibrant Kandundu
Quarry mines in Murang’a that have been

operating in the past 20 years are
shadows of their former self.

The mines generates above
Sh3.5 million per day, are today
deserted after they were ordered closed by the department of public health, citing failure to comply with standards.

A visit to the mines located within Murang’a
Municipality revealed the desperate faces of the 500 youth who depend on the
operations of the mines.

The Mountain Journal
reveled that per day more than 70 trucks are loaded with building stones with
the county government collection Sh350,000 as revenue.

Also closed are Mines
operated by Chinese investors.

Chairman of the Kandundu Quarry Operators Peter Nyamai

Machine worth millions
of shillings are idle as the market for the commodity have turned to Ndarugu mines.

Opening the Kandundu mines two years ago, was
a relief to builders in the counties of Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Embu, Nyeri and
Laikipia, due to short distances and transparent operations.

Peter Nyamai chairman
of the operators said the public health without consideration ordered the
closure of the mines, despite
investigating if some had adhered to public health standards.

“ It is a blow to the
community as the kiosks that were run by
women are not operational following the order,” said Nyamai.

A worker Bernard Maina Kamau said they have been
equipped with protective gears, for the
years they have worked in the area with no casualty.

“ It is our humble
appeal to the government to re open the mines
as hundreds of the families depend on them for upkeep of their
families,” said Kamau.

Murang’a Town Manager
Fredrick Munyua ordered the closure of the mines, to help restoration of sanity in the locality.

“ There have been
complains that the operators have encroached public road, and some of the mines
are risky to the users and the locals,”
said Munyua.