Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has slammed senior officials in Kitui County Government for allowing illegal sand harvesting that continues to cause severe damage to the environment.
EACC said the officials, together with those representing the national government, have been giving a blind eye to the business as they pocket millions of shillings from illegal sales.
The officials are accused of offering protection to private persons and entities harvesting the sand.
EACC said that lorries ferrying sand from Mwingi rivers are stopped at various roadblocks where they pay Sh6,000 each, money that does not go to the county.
The Commission, through its Head of Corporate Communication Eric Ngumbi on Sunday disclosed that an ongoing probe has shown government officials in Kitui share the money on a weekly basis.
“This is despite the fact that NEMA has not issued licences for harvesting of the natural resource,” he said.
The official was speaking at Kauwi Ward in Kitui West where he attended a social event.
Ngumbi noted that on April 12, 2023, EACC arrested four people who had mounted illegal roadblocks on Mwingi- Matuu Road where each lorry carrying sand paid Sh6,000.
The suspects were released on bond at Kanyonyo Police Station pending further probe.
The official said that the Commission was finalising investigations whose outcome will inform the actions to be taken against both government officials and private persons involved.
As part of addressing the problem, EACC challenged the Kitui County Assembly to take up its role of oversight and hold the County Executive to account.
The County Assembly was also asked to consider enacting appropriate legislation towards addressing illegal sand harvesting.
