Residents living near Ndugu Transport Company Limited’s quarry in Mamboleo, Kisumu County, have raised concerns over ongoing rock blasting activities that they claim have affected their homes, safety and daily lives for years.
The residents are now calling on government agencies and regulators to investigate the matter and determine whether the quarry’s operations comply with environmental and safety laws.
According to residents, blasting at the quarry has become a regular occurrence, with loud explosions often shaking nearby homes.
They claim the vibrations caused by the blasts have damaged houses over time, leaving cracks on walls and affecting the structural condition of some buildings.
Families living near the quarry say they continue to worry about the possible impact of future blasting activities.
The concerns have also drawn attention to the operations of Ndugu Transport Company Limited, one of the major transport, construction and quarry firms in western Kenya.
Residents say they have reported their concerns to various authorities, including officials from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) in Kisumu, but they feel little action has been taken to address the issue.
According to the complaint, the matter is not new. Residents allege that a previous blasting incident resulted in rocks being thrown into nearby residential areas.
They claim one person was struck on the head while several houses suffered roof damage after rocks landed on private property.
These claims have renewed questions about the safety measures in place during blasting operations and whether all required regulations are being followed.
The company is led by Founder and Chairman Harbhajan Singh Sembi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Manjeet Singh Sembi, Director Jasminder Kaur Sembi and Chief Operating Officer Balraj Singh Sembi.
As part of the company’s leadership, they are expected to ensure quarry operations comply with Kenyan environmental, mining and public safety requirements.
The complaints have also raised questions about the role of regulators, including NEMA, the State Department for Mining and Kisumu County Government. Residents want to know whether inspections have been conducted and what measures have been taken in response to the concerns that have been raised over the years.
While residents say they support business and development, they insist that economic activities should not compromise the safety of surrounding communities or damage property and the environment.
They are calling on NEMA Director General Mamo Boru Mamo, Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa, the State Department for Mining, Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o and other relevant authorities to investigate the quarry’s operations.
They are also seeking an independent environmental and structural assessment to establish whether nearby homes have suffered damage linked to the blasting activities and whether affected residents should be compensated if such damage is confirmed.In the complaint received, the whistleblower stated:
“Hello Cyprian Nyakundi. Kindly hide my identity.There is a company called Ndugu Transport in Mamboleo, Kisumu, that has become a real nuisance to the locals and the environment.
They use dynamite to blow up rocks in their quarry. The blasts are damaging houses and the environment.Some years back, rocks flew into the air during blasting, hit someone on the head and damaged roofs and houses.
Despite numerous complaints to NEMA officials in Kisumu, nothing has been done.We are tired of the daily blasting. We want the government to intervene before someone else is seriously injured.”
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