Chinese mining firm on the spot over air, noise pollution in Naivasha

A Chinese mining company is facing scrutiny for disregarding orders to cease quarrying activities in Kedong, Naivasha. The public reacted with outrage, gathering around the facility off Moi South Lake road to protest the excessive air and noise pollution. Over 300 demonstrators, including parents from a nearby school, vowed to continue holding weekly demonstrations until the company complied with the law.

For the past two months, the firm has been operating illegally, causing dust and blasts that have disrupted nearby homes and institutions. Caroline Wanjiku from Longonot Vista Resort explained that the quarrying activities had crippled their operations, resulting in significant losses. She stated that both the Ministry of Mining and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) had issued orders to halt the activities, but these were disregarded.

Wanjiku highlighted the health complications faced by residents due to the loud blasts and dust, emphasizing their determination to fight this "impunity of the highest order." Margaret Kusa, a parent at Longonot DEB Prima school, shared that her children had been experiencing chest pains since the quarrying began, and the dust had forced the school to halt learning activities.

Mark Mwangi, another resident, criticized the lack of public participation required by environmental law before the quarrying activities commenced. A youth leader, David Chege, pledged that the demonstrators would persist until the quarry was closed and the company withdrawn. A senior NEMA officer confirmed that the company lacked licenses from both the national and local governments, noting that they had been working illegally and had received stop-orders, which were ignored.