Environment Principal Secretary Festus Ng’eno and the National Environment Management Authority Director General Mamo Boru have ordered the immediate closure of one of the major quarries in Maai Mahiu escarpment.
The closure comes after residents who live on the lower side of the escarpment complained of environmental degradation.
The residents marched to the Ministry offices in Upper Hill and petitioned NEMA and the Ministry to close down the quarry.
The residents led by Solomon Saitoti and Ben Kaete said they fear several rivers flowing from the Maai Mahiu escarpment may dry up due to setting up of the quarries.
Those affected are mainly from Namuncha village.
They complained that the quarries have been polluting the environment due to noise, blasts, dust, cutting down of trees and that this will eventually lead to the drying up of the little Ewaso Kedong River.
The river flows from the rocks of the Maai Mahiu escarpment.
Upon listening to their grievances, the residents were addressed by PS Festus Ngeno and NEMA DG Mamo Boru.
"We have heard your grievances. We don't want you to lack water. As we speak, NEMA enforcement team is on its way to close the quarry,” PS Ngeno said.
The larger area borders Kiambu and Nakuru counties.
The area is called Satellite Sublocation, Maai Mahiu Ward, Naivasha Constituency in Nakuru County.
The quarry is located on the escarpment in Ndioni village, Ndeiya Location, Limuru Constituency in Kiambu County.
It is run by Chinese nationals and is on the upper side of the escarpment along the Maai Mahiu-Nairobi highway.
In a statement, Namuncha Maasai community through the Kitilikini Namuncha Ewuaso Kedong River users said they have suffered the effects of the upstream quarry.
The quarry has been in operation for the last five years and has been changing names.
"This quarry was started three years ago. As you can see, it’s on the escarpment. Hundreds of trees were cut leading to environmental degradation. We fear there will be landslides in future if they do not stop their operations," Dolman Lerru, the chairman of Namuncha Maasai Community said.
The group said a visit to the quarry paints a picture of the massive destruction of the natural habitat.
Several families have been forced to relocate due to cracks in their houses, falling rocks and dust.
Residents also said that little Ewaso Kedong River is drying up due to the destruction upstream.
The residents use the water for drinking, animals and their farms.
"We have complained to the local authorities but no action has been taken. The local authorities seem to be shielding the Chinese. We want this quarry closed down," Lerru said.