Coast

Kwale locals urged to be cautious of sand mines to avoid drowning

From left: Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani, Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha and Kwale Woman Representative Fatuma Masito arrive at Kichaka Simba Primary School for a tree planting exercise on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

By Mishi Gongo | Friday, May 10, 2024

County Commissioner Stephen Orinde said many sand and stone mines pose a risk to locals, especially now that they are filled with rainy water.

Locals in Kwale County have been urged to be cautious of sand mine pits to avoid drowning as the country marks the national tree planting day to remember flood-affected victims.

Speaking while planting trees at Kichaka Simba Primary School in Kubo South, Matuga sub-county in Kwale, County Commissioner Stephen Orinde said many sand and stone mines pose a risk to locals, especially now that they are filled with rainy water.

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"Let us all take precautions to avoid deaths from drowning. Avoid paths that have stagnant water. Owners of the mines should use braches to mark the pits," Orinde stated.

The County Commissioner further advised the locals to use toilets rather than bushes during long calls to avoid spreading waterborne diseases.

Reports from the county indicate that only 42 per cent of the locals use toilets, while the remaining percentage relieve themselves in bushes.

“With ongoing rains, the risk of contracting waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, typhoid, amoebiasis, and hepatitis A is high. There is a need to observe proper sanitation," he advised.

Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani,centre coast regional commissioner Rhoda Onyancha,in red Kwale women representative Fatuma Masito at Kichaka Simba primary school on a tree planting exerci

Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani leads coast leaders in planting trees at Kichaka Simba Primary School on May 10, 2024. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

Accompanying Orinde to the exercise were Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha, Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani, her deputy governor Chirema Kombo and Kwale Woman Representative Fatuma Masito.

Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani said the tree planting exercise will help to address climate change, as "tree growing is the singular long-term solution to the climate crisis and its devastating effects on life and livelihoods.”

Coast regional commissioner Rhoda Onyancha applauded the county for its efforts in contributing to forest cover in the country. Onyancha said the government, under President William Ruto, seeks to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.

Meanwhile, the leaders planted over 10,000 trees within the schools at Kubo South.

Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani added that over 20,000 trees will be planted within the county towards the end of the day.

In the last year, she has led the county in planting over 600,000 trees, targeting to plant over 29 million trees by 2032.