Residents of Nyamonema village bordering Bobasi and Bonchari
constituencies have asked the National government to relocate them into a safer
place since the quarry blast is causing more harm to their lives.
This is the tenth time the blasting of the quarry, which is owned
by a private investor, damaged more than twenty houses.
It’s alleged that the rich people are taking advantage of the
vulnerable residents in that area by exploiting them.
The quarry, which is supposed to be of more benefit to the
community, is causing a lot of damages.
The residents cry that no action has been taken on that private
company.
Like any project which is run in the community, it should be
of more beneficial to the residents but Nyamonema quarry has made the surrounding
not only live in poor life but also lose their loved ones.
The place itself, has impassable road, despite the company
deals in murram supply.
When that company is blasting, they are don’t notify the community
to be psychologically prepared and move to a safer place.
Speaking to Charles Ratemo, the complainant, he said that this
is the tenth time the blasting of the quarry has damaged his houses.
“My house is leaks when it’s raining, I don’t have anybody
who can assist me to amend the roofs,” he said.
Mr Ratemo said that what hurts them most is the fact that the
company is notifying when it’s blasting the quarry.
The residents said blasts have occurred severally affecting
them in all circles but their cry has never been hard by anyone and now blame
the government for sideling with the quarry owners to exploit the poor people.
Most of the houses which are affected by the blast are just
200m from the quarry which destroys iron sheets, affecting schools, food crops
and kills domestic animals.
He noted the previous blast which occurred three weeks ago
made his iron sheets removed and the quarry officials only provided a half of
the iron sheets for replacement.
Whenever such blasts occur, those affected are being
threatened and whenever they air out their grievances nothing has ever been
done.
The 70-year-old Moraa Ratemo said she has been hit hard
whenever there are blasts, this has affected her physiologically and worrying
she might lose her hearing.
“I can’t sleep at night; the blasts have poisoned my
mind… I plead with the government to help us, “she cried out.
Risper Moraa, another victim, said since the blasts teared
away iron sheets from her house, she has been leaving-hell when the rains
arrive.
She also said that her cousin miscarried because of the
blasts.
Young women now blame the quarry for miscarriages they go
through due to the ongoing blasts.
They want the government to act speedy and save them from the
unending blast troubles.
“We are poor Kenyans and we have a right to life why is
the government so lenient to have this quarry in the middle of several houses
where people stay,” she questioned.
When the Bobasi MP Innocent Obiri tried to question about the
quarry he was arrested and charged in the court of law for incitement.
The case is still in the Kisii Law court yet to be heard.
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