Illegal Quarries A Threat To Local Tourism Says County Gov’t As NEMA Commences Crackdown In Kwale

KWALE,Kenya, Nov,17 – The Kwale county government, local tourism stakeholders among others have raised concerns over the increasing number of illegal quarries in Tiwi,Matuga constituency that threaten the state of tourism in the county.

According to Environment Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Mohammed Elmi who toured the area, the Environmental Ombudsman and National complaints committee have documented several concerns of environmental degradation that threatens the tour sector.

Hotels bordering the quarries  as well as local communities say the sites have become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, a den for criminals as well as a source of pollution in the area.

“There have been complaints about illegal quarrying in Tiwi that are dangerous for the community.  We want those doing quarrying business to form groups so that they can get license and support from county government and NEMA approval to operate legally,” said Elmi.

Members of the community have now be encouraged to work closely with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) in order to strike a deal on how to best operate which includes obtaining valid licences.

Those operating illegally will now be arrested and prosecuted.

Rehabilitation works on some of the illegal quarries is expected to be conducted in the coming months.

NEMA in collaboration with the county government will direct suitable areas for quarrying instead of prime areas set for Tourism development,”

Diani municipality manager Hamisi Mwandaro urged youth in the quarry  business to form cooperatives in order to gain support from both the county and national government.

A section of youth however said, that the quarries are their source of livelihood and relocating them might affect their daily sustenance.

“They are talking of giving us alternative land to do quarrying, the question is will we be paying or it will be free? We can agree with the government to fill all the areas we do quarrying instead of evicting us from our land,” said Juam Omar a local resident.

Quarry operators also disputed that water from the site end up in hotels saying that drainage has been catered for.