Gov’t to map out quarries

Mining Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala has announced that mapping of all quarries in the country is set to begin following the passing of the Mining Bill by the Senate.

Speaking during a prize giving day at Birithia Secondary school in Othaya, Nyeri County, CS Balala said that the process will entail a thorough analysis that will begin in quarries located in the danger prone areas such as North Eastern region followed by other areas.

Responding to an inquiry posed by Othaya Member of Parliament Mary Wambui on what the Ministry was doing to protect quarry workers, the CS said that the process will help restore decorum in the sector that has virtually operated for decades without concrete legislation to the extent of endangering people’s lives.

Wambui had lamented that in two incidences Nyeri County quarry workers borne the brunt of the killings in Mandera by Al Shabaab militia where they had sought better paying work.

The Al Shabaab militia group launched an attack early this month killing 14 quarry workers, 11 of whom hailed from Nyeri county.