Killer Quarries in Kisumu County must be re-filled, say MCAs.

 MCAs at County Assembly of Kisumu today where they have contributed over a statement wanting all the quarries that have been left opened to be re-filled since they have killed a number of residents of Kisumu County-Photo By Dickson Odhiambo

 By Dickson Odhiambo.

July 10, 2019.

Killer Quarries in Kisumu County must be re-filled, say MCAs.

MEMBERS of the County Assembly of Kisumu now want all the quarries left opened fully re-filled wherever they are in Kisumu County to avoid killing the residents of the county.

The Members of the County Assembly have today unanimously agreed that all such quarries be re-filled because a number of them have caused the deaths of some Kisumu County Residents.

Speaking before the floor of the House today when issuing a statement to the Assembly, Kajulu ward Member of County Assembly Roy Samo said most of the quarries in Kisumu County have claimed the lives of the residents because they have been left open and unfilled.

Samo cited an incident in which a 7-year old child lost his life at a quarry within his ward recently.

He said the family is in a very sad state of affairs after they abruptly lost their child in such like incident in a quarry known as Opepo.

“Mr. Speaker Sir. Quite a number of quarries and open fields have been left unattended in Kajulu area like the Kisumu Concrete one, Undugu, opepo one among others and these are very dangerous to human beings,” Samo said.

He even mentioned one of the quarries in Central Kisumu ward represented by Judy Ogaga which he said have been killing the residents of the area with impunity. 

He said during the presentation of the statement to the House that the National Environmental Management Authority requires that any quarry that has been dug and left open should be re-filled.

Samo wants the owners of the quarries to take responsibilities by ensuring that such quarries be re-filled immediately after scooping soil from them.

He added that those families who have lost their loved ones into those quarries be compensated by both the County and National Governments. 

MCAs who have supported the statement said it is indeed sad that a number of quarries have been dug and left open without being attended hence have turned to be killer ones.

Nominated MCA Carren Mugah who rose on a point of information said indeed a number of residents have lost lives as a result of quarries that have been left unattended.

She also cited a case in which a young boy got injured in a quarry within Kibigori area of Miwani Ward and is currently hospitalized at Masogo Hospital.

“A boy of 17 years old got an accident and was injured in one of the quarries in Kibigori areas and this is very unfortunate. Such people needs to be compensated,” Mugah said.

Nominated MCA Caleb Omoro called on the County Government of Kisumu to come up with both long and short term measures. 

He said the Government through its special program should come up with short term measures where those quarries can be fenced as a short term measures.

A member of the Speakers Panel Eric Agolla who chaired the session directed that the statement be handled by the County Assembly Committee on Water, Environment and Natural Resources and bring back a report to the house within 14 days.

He also directed that the Committee also investigate incidences where lives have been lost in other quarries, adding that the issue of the boy in Kibigori area who has been injured in a quarry be investigated too among other related incidences.

ENDS: