This archive report was first published on 27 June 2021.
Published on June 27, 2021, a report by the Kenya News Agency highlighted the struggles of youths living along the lower course of River Nzoia, who have turned to sand mining as a means of survival.
With the pandemic disrupting the economy and leaving many employees redundant, the youths have found an alternative source of income in sand mining.
Initially, the area was known for its rich fish species, including Odhadho, Seu, Sire, and Ningu. However, with time, these rare delicacies have disappeared, and the need to shift gears to sand harvesting has become imperative.
George Otieno, a sand miner, has been involved in the trade for two years. He notes that the sand deposits on the river beds offer relief to many, and the process of harvesting sand is rudimentary, with no special equipment required.
"Nowadays we have no fish, instead we venture into sand mining where we maximize and sell to middlemen who in turn take it to towns," Otieno said.
The sand harvesters use a boat operated by two people, one of whom dives into the river to scoop sand, while the other person pulls the sand-filled container into the boat.
They repeat the process several times until they fill the canoe, before paddling to the river bank to empty it. Otieno says it takes four full canoes to fill a 12-tonne lorry.
However, the method used poses a threat to the sand scoopers, as most of them dive naked without special gear. The water may not be clean, and the continual contact with the body may have side effects.
"We have no gears, we dive just as you see, and in case of any accident we may not help much. In the past we saw cases of people diving and not coming out, some get choked with the water while inside," Otieno lamented.
The sand scoopers are now calling on both the national and county governments to help them with diving facilities that would assist them, not only during their normal operations, but in case of accidents such as drowning.
According to a medical practitioner, Ishmael Abbas, the safest way for the sand harvesters is to ensure they keep their medical covers active in order to manage frequent check-ups whenever necessary.
On the returns, Chrispinus Ngaywa lamented of the exploitation by the middlemen who pay very little for the sand. "A 12-tonne lorry costs a mere Sh5,500 while they sell it at Sh17,000 or even more, you look at that you will realize that we are actually labouring for the middlemen," Ngaywa said.
He added, "Very soon we shall be engaging ourselves to form a union from where we shall be selling the sand collectively at a specific price, we can’t go on this way forever."
