Chinese Mining Firm Ignored Stop Orders as Residents Protest in Naivasha

A Chinese mining company has been accused of ignoring orders that restrict quarrying activities in Kedong, Naivasha, prompting public anger over air and noise pollution.

More than 300 demonstrators, including parents from a nearby school, stormed the facility off Moi South Lake road, carrying placards and twigs and pledging to hold weekly protests until the investor complies with the law.

The company has been illegally quarrying for the last two months, with dust and blasts affecting nearby homes and institutions.

Caroline Wanjiku of Longonot Vista Resort said the quarrying has paralysed the resort’s operations and caused massive losses, adding that the Ministry of Mining and the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) had served stop-orders that were ignored.

“This is impunity of the highest order and we are wondering if a Kenyan can do the same in China and at this time the government stamped its foot on this issue,” Wanjiku said, noting that loud blasts and dust have caused health complications among residents and that they would not be deterred.

Margaret Kusa, a parent at Longonot DEB Prima school, said her children have been complaining of chest pains since the quarry began operating and that learning activities are sometimes paralysed by dust, calling on the national government for assistance.

“At times, learning activities in the school are paralysed due to the dust and we are calling on the national government to come to our rescue,” Kusa said.

Resident Mark Mwangi said no public participation was conducted before the quarry started, stating that environmental law requires public engagement prior to any quarry operation.

“The environmental law requires that before any quarry starts operations, there should be public engagement but this was not done,” Mwangi said.

Youth leader David Chege vowed to continue weekly demonstrations and to camp at the site until the quarry is closed, saying the community will not tire of demanding justice.

“We shall not get tired as we demand justice and we are ready to camp here until this oppressive company is kicked out,” Chege said.

A senior officer from NEMA, who declined to be named, confirmed the company is not licensed by the authority or Nakuru County government and reiterated that stop-orders have been ignored.

“This company has been working illegally, they don’t have any licenses and we have served them with stop-orders but this has been ignored,” the officer said.