Senator Billow Kerrow criticises quarrying ban in Mandera

Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow at a past event. The Senate will not hesitate to take action against Cabinet secretaries and senior government officials who refuse to appear before House committees. FILE PHOTO | DIANA NGILA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • He said the closure of the quarries will “greatly and adversely” affect the livelihoods of many local workers.
  • He said all the Kenya Police Reservists (KPRs) in Mandera East were being vetted for effective surveillance of the stone quarries.

Senator Billow Kerrow has criticised the government’s move to suspend quarrying in Mandera East Sub-County over insecurity.

“The decision by the County Commissioner in Mandera to shut down all the quarries ostensibly because of insecurity clearly flies in the face of the government's oft-repeated assurances that it will ensure the security of all Kenyans in the region," the Mandera senator said.

He added: “The quarries are within 10 square kilometres radius of Mandera town, which boasts the highest concentration of security officers in the region, estimated at over 800 persons including KDF, GSU, RDU, regular and administration police”.

Mr Kerrow said it was inconceivable that security officers are unable to provide security to stone miners as the quarries are “a key economic and development activity for the poverty stricken residents of the county”.

“Why do we have security officers in the town if they cannot protect the lives of Kenyans?” Mr Kerrow asked.

He said the closure of the quarries will “greatly and adversely” affect the livelihoods of many local workers.

EMBOLDEN TERRORISTS

He claimed residents were concerned that the move by the government may have been motivated by the “desire to discourage upcountry workers from travelling there.”

He said the government should provide security to residents of Mandera rather than shut down their source of income.

“After failing to provide security to teachers whose departure has destroyed learning in schools, this latest action by the government is bound to embolden the terrorists, and increase resentment of government among the residents.

“…. It is a shame that the government security agencies can fold their arms and leave Mandera residents to their fate,” said Mr Kerrow.

Mandera East Deputy County Commissioner Elvis Korir on Tuesday said the ban follows assessment of security in the area.

He said all the Kenya Police Reservists (KPRs) in Mandera East were being vetted for effective surveillance of the stone quarries.

The government’s decision comes at a time when the stone miners have become Al-Shabaab targets with the latest attack on July 7 claiming 14 lives. Eleven other people were injured in the attack.

Mr Korir however said the activities will resume after streamlining of security system and denied claims that it was a government tactic of getting non-locals out of Mandera after a successful transfer of non-local teachers.