The High Court in Naivasha has temporarily stopped quarrying activities by Chinese company Sinohydro Corporation in Kedong, Nakuru, following protests by residents over pollution concerns.
The conservatory orders were issued on Wednesday, October 7, a day after more than 300 residents protested at the company’s quarry along Moi South Lake Road. The court order halts the company’s stone-crushing and blasting activities as the dispute over its operations continues.
Residents, including parents from a nearby school, marched to the facility carrying placards and twigs while calling for the quarry to be closed. They accused the company of continuing with its activities despite a stop order issued by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
The residents said dust and noise from the quarry had affected the surrounding community over the past two months.
They claimed the blasting and stone-crushing activities were affecting nearby homes, schools and businesses.
The protesters also raised concerns over what they described as excessive air and noise pollution from the site.
Some vowed to hold weekly demonstrations until the company stops its operations and complies with environmental requirements.
Area youth leader David Chege said residents were ready to remain at the facility if necessary to push for the suspension of the quarrying activities.
“We are prepared to camp here until the operations stop,” Chege said, as residents called for action over what they described as environmental damage affecting the community.
NEMA Naivasha Environment Officer Jane Njihia told the protesters that the company did not have a licence from NEMA or the Nakuru County Government to carry out quarrying activities.
Njihia said NEMA had already issued a stop order to the company but that the directive had not stopped the quarrying activities. She said the matter had also attracted legal action from some hoteliers and residents affected by the operations.
According to Njihia, the affected parties had filed a case at the Naivasha Law Courts over the impact of the quarrying activities on the surrounding area.
The court’s decision now places the company’s operations on hold as the dispute is considered through the legal process.
The order also comes amid growing demands from residents for authorities to enforce environmental regulations at the quarry.
Sinohydro Corporation has operated in Kenya for nearly two decades and has been involved in excavating and crushing stones at Kedong to produce construction materials, including aggregate, ballast and sand.
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