Gov't shuts down mining operations at East African Portland Cement over Ksh.525M debt

The Ministry of Mining, through Director Gregory Kituku, has shut down all mining operations at East Africa Portland Cement Company over debt arrears.

The shutdown is because of the debt of cement levy of Ksh.525 million that the company has not yet paid the government.

The company is also accused of operating mining activities illegally in the country since 2016.

The quarries are said to have been lacking safety gears, register of vehicles transporting limestone, and other materials.

The ministry said police officers have been deployed to the quarries to ground to a halt all activities.

Kituku further said that the local community is not benefiting from the company because it is not paying levies to the government.

The company operates the portland quarry and Sparetech Ltd in Kajiado, as well as the Kibini quarry at Sultan Hamud.

The two quarries in Kajiado transport 21 lorries per day, each carrying 30 tonnes.

Through its supervisor, the company said the shutdown of the mining operations was unfortunate since many youth will lose their jobs in the quarries, and asked the government to be remorseful.