Ndia MP Orders Immediate Closure of Abandoned Quarries After Tragic Drowning of Three Residents
He cited that the tragedy was avoidable if safety measures had been in place.
The residents disclosed that the site had earlier claimed another life, whose safety has been a concern for a while. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
Ndia Member of Parliament George Kariuki has instructed contractors operating within the constituency to immediately cover and secure quarry pits left behind after an incident in Kiandai village left three people dead, among them two children. Kariuki, who chairs the National Assembly’s Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, gave the order during a tour to the affected families on Monday.
The MP professed his sadness over the incident and condemned the fact that contractors have failed to rehabilitate excavated sites, which are a hazard to residents. He cited that the tragedy was avoidable if safety measures had been in place.
“It is devastating to lose young lives in a place that should have been secured long ago,” said Kariuki. “I will engage the company behind the quarry so that the bereaved families can receive some support as they go through this painful moment.”
The fatal incident occurred when two children, who had gone fishing near the waterlogged quarry, accidentally slipped into the deep pool. According to eyewitness accounts, one child fell in first, prompting the other to try and rescue him. Both drowned. A third victim was a young man trying to save them in the same pit; he also died. The residents disclosed that the site had earlier claimed another life, whose safety has been a concern for a while.
He decried the fact that after construction activities happen, open pits are left to their fate, usually turning into waterlogged quarries. He urged contractors to adopt better and more responsible practices by backfilling the dug pits or putting them to community use productively.
“It is good practice for contractors to either refill these excavations or find creative ways of turning them into useful facilities for the community,” he said. “We cannot allow hazards to linger in our villages. These sites should become assets, not death traps.”
The MP further pledged to follow up with relevant authorities and the construction company involved to explore possible compensation mechanisms for the affected families. He urged residents to remain vigilant and avoid such sites until safety measures are enforced. Debate on the regulation of quarry operations, especially in rural areas, has been triggered anew by the tragedy, with community leaders demanding greater monitoring and enforcement to avoid future loss of life.
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