A group of youth in Kitui County, Tiva community, have demonstrated how sand harvesting can be done sustainably and without destroying or polluting the environment. This is contrary to the common belief that the activity can only be done by drying up water sources.
With the Kenyan job market being tougher by the day, the sand enterprise has become a full employment industry to hundreds of young men and women who live along the banks of River Tiva, which drains into River Athi.
For a fully loaded truck of sand, the group charges Ksh 6,000 which is sold to construction companies in Nairobi and Thika.
In addition to a license approved by the National Environment Management Authority, the youth group has also been trained on sustainable sand harvesting in the area without causing harm to the environment and downstream users.
The well-organised business consists of truck loaders, clerks and a group coordinator. Each truck has six loaders who share Ksh 3,000 per lorry.
Women have clerical responsibilities of managing monetary transactions while others inspect and maintain order on site.
“We came together and thought of ways on how we can benefit from harvesting sand, which is a key natural resource in our area. We are happy it has become a full-time occupation for young people who are assured of a livelihood to take care of their families,” says Sabina Mbuvi, the group's coordinator.
According to Mbuvi, the number of youth who joined the business increased post-Covid-19 due to the loss of jobs especially in Nairobi and Mombasa.
“With nothing to do at home, they have joined us and are assured of daily earnings. It has also helped to keep them busy and away from crime,” she says.
The site receives an average of five to 10 trucks a day along a 2KM stretch along the river that has undergone an Environmental Impact Assessment.
Speaking on Sunday 31 January 2021, President Uhuru Kenyatta said that there was a need for institutional and mindset changes that would push youth to be self-sufficient and independent.
“There are institutional problems in our country that must be resolved. If we don’t resolve these institutional problems, we are not going to resolve the problem of poverty and we are not going to meet the expectations of our young people. It is not possible,” said the President.
The government rolled out a training programme that will help provide skills and training to see 1 million youths get temporary online employment.
