Kisumu Quarries to Undergo Audit After Kanyakwar Tragedy
The audit will also assess emergency response protocols, including coordination among county disaster teams, national government administrators, and environmental regulators.
Deputy Governor Dr Mathew Owili. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth sang
County Forms Multi-Agency Task Force
Kisumu County Government has established a multi-agency team to conduct a comprehensive audit of all quarry sites and strengthen emergency response systems following the drowning of four boys in an abandoned quarry pit in Kanyakwar, Kisumu Central.
Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili announced that the task force will identify and map both active and abandoned quarries, evaluate compliance with environmental and safety regulations, and propose enforcement and rehabilitation measures within specified timelines.
Quarrying Activities Banned
The move comes after the county imposed a ban on all quarrying licenses and operations in the lakeside region in response to the tragic incident that occurred on Sunday evening.
Dr. Owili said the task force will focus on sealing enforcement gaps and improving disaster preparedness to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
“The County Government has banned all quarrying licences and activities to prevent future tragedies and will review and strengthen the laws governing mining and quarrying,” said Dr. Owili.
He added that the newly formed task force will oversee and regulate quarrying operations, ensure proper demarcation of commercial sites, enforce fencing of hazardous areas, and facilitate the sealing of abandoned pits.
Immediate Inspections and Legal Reforms
The Deputy Governor chaired a multi-agency meeting attended by County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo, Kisumu Central MCA Samuel Omollo, County Executive Committee Member for Environment Judith Oluoch, and officials from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
He stated that the task force is expected to begin field inspections immediately.
Dr. Owili further revealed that the county will expedite stalled land dispute cases, which have been blamed for encroachment and illegal mining activities. He noted that unclear land ownership has hindered enforcement efforts and allowed unsafe quarry sites to operate unchecked.
Review of Emergency Response Systems
The audit will also assess emergency response protocols, including coordination among county disaster teams, national government administrators, and environmental regulators.
According to Dr. Owili, the task force will recommend standard operating procedures to ensure swift response to incidents occurring at quarries, mining sites, and other high-risk areas.
“The findings of the audit will inform proposed amendments to county laws governing mining and quarrying, with an emphasis on stricter licensing conditions, mandatory site rehabilitation bonds, and clearer safety obligations for operators,” he said.
Visit to Bereaved Family
Following the meeting, Dr. Owili and members of the multi-agency team visited the bereaved family in Obunga. He described the tragedy as a painful reminder of the consequences of regulatory lapses and emphasized the county’s commitment to preventing further loss of life.
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