Three months after the demolition of buildings on the East African Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) land in Mavoko sub-County, illegal mining and dumping activities continue to take place. Unscrupulous individuals, including some EAPCC staff and police officers, are reportedly minting millions of shillings by mining murram (laterite soil) and dumping black cotton soil from nearby construction sites on the land.
The demolitions, which began on October 13, 2023, resulted in the destruction of homes, schools, entertainment venues, and churches, affecting around 3,000 people. The Aimi Ma Lukenya (AML) Association, who claimed ownership of the land, had been involved in a court battle with EAPCC management. However, on October 9, 2023, the Machakos Court Judge declared EAPCC as the legal owner, leading to the subsequent demolitions and the arrest of three AML Association leaders.
Despite efforts to clear the area and prevent further encroachment, reports indicate ongoing murram mining and illegal dumping of topsoil on the land. The mining activities are allegedly being conducted with the knowledge and involvement of certain individuals, including EAPCC staff and police officers. Trucks are paying up to Sh500 per trip to dump the soil, which is often done at night.
The scale of the operation is significant, with at least 60-80 trucks of murram being collected on a daily basis. The loaded trucks then offload the murram at a private land in Athi River township. The mining leaves behind large pits, adding to the existing holes left by ‘squatters’ before their eviction.
Concerns have been raised about the legality and environmental impact of these activities. Victims of the demolitions, such as Joel Kioko, expressed their frustration, questioning whether their eviction was merely to make way for the murram excavation and soil dumping. Kioko also expressed concern about the government’s plans to build affordable houses on degraded land.
East African Portland Cement Company’s Public Relations Manager, Pamela Muthui, distanced the company’s management from the murram excavation, stating that a tender was issued to remove limestone waste, not to excavate murram.
In addition to the ongoing mining activities, EAPCC is seeking to sell land worth Sh15.6 billion as part of its efforts to turn around its financial situation. This includes regularizing its portion of 907 acres and earmarking 13 plots for sale to the Kenya Wildlife Service for a wildlife migration corridor. Plans are also underway to finalize the Deed of Settlement between EAPCC and the government for the surrender of LR NO 10425, measuring 4,272 acres, intended for affordable housing. Furthermore, 1,000 acres will be designated as an export promotion zone.
The situation raises concerns about the illegal exploitation of the EAPCC land, potentially undermining its future development plans and impacting the environment. The authorities must take swift action to address these issues and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
