Masinga Women protest exploitation bysand harvesters

Transport was paralysed along the Matuu-Mwingi highway after a group of women from Masinga area took to the streets to protest alleged exploitation by brokers in the sand harvesting business.

The women, who stripped in protest, also accused the Machakos County Government of ignoring their plight.

Several people were also reportedly injured when a fight broke out between the brokers and the protesters.

The residents also burnt kiosks, beds and other items belonging to the brokers, who they claim have set up illegal toll stations along roads leading to the sand harvesting sites.

The residents are now demanding to be given the mandate to collect levies on the roads since, unlike the brokers, they had already set up a local group that was assisting in repairing local roads.

Sand harvesting has been a source of conflict in the area for years now.

Local religious leader Bishop Benard Mutemi urged local leaders to sit together and find a lasting solution to the disputes in the business of sand harvesting.

Mutemi noted that sand was the only natural resource of the Kamba people and if not handled with care, the people will continue fighting with the rich taking the advantage.