Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-02-04 07:24:14
The aftermath of the demolition of buildings on the East African Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) land in Mavoko sub-County has seen a new wave of unscrupulous activities that is now minting millions of shillings.
The demolitions that took place in October 2023 resulted in the destruction of homes, schools, entertainment joints, and churches, causing turmoil for at least 3,000 homeowners. The Aimi Ma Lukenya (AML) Association, which claimed ownership of the 4,298 acres of land, had been engaged in a court battle with the EAPCC management at the Machakos Land and Environment Court. After the demolitions, scrap metal and other building materials were cleared within days and trenches were dug at entry points to prevent further encroachment.
However, the ongoing murram mining and dumping of black cotton soil are now reported to be a well-orchestrated scheme by some unscrupulous individuals, EAPCC staff, and police officers. The illegal mining, which is taking place on EAPCC land, leaves huge pits and reportedly involves unauthorized entry and excavation of murram. According to accounts from individuals on site, trucks have been collecting at least 60-80 loads of murram per day and offloading them at a private land in Athi River township.
Furthermore, the illegal dumping of topsoil on the land is also taking place at night, with trucks reportedly paying Sh500 per trip to dump soil that is brought in from construction sites in the neighboring Kitengela town.
The victims of the demolitions and evictions expressed their frustration, questioning whether they had been evicted to make way for the excavation and dumping of soil. The situation has raised concerns about the impact on the land and whether it is suitable for the government’s plans to build affordable housing.
The EAPCC’s Public Relations Manager Pamela Muthui distanced the company’s management from the excavation of murram, stating that a tender was issued to an individual to remove ‘heaps of limestone waste’ from the land. Furthermore, EAPCC is seeking to sell land worth Sh15.6 billion as a short-term measure to turn around the cash-strapped cement manufacturer.
The company has additional plans for the land, including regularizing its portion and selling plots for a wildlife migration corridor, affordable housing, and an export promotion zone. However, these plans have raised questions about the land previously occupied by locals before the demolitions in October 2023.
In the wake of these ongoing activities, it is evident that more measures are needed to prevent the exploitation and degradation of the land. It is important for authorities to take action to address the illegal mining and dumping on the EAPCC land and ensure that the land is suitable for its intended purposes. Such actions are essential to protect the rights of the former occupants of the land, prevent further environmental degradation, and uphold the law.
Read the original article on Daily Nation
