Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr issuing appointment letters to 44 Sand Authority employees who were absorbed by the County into Permanent and Pensionable terms. Photo by Andrew Mbuva. 
By Andrew Mbuva
Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr has escalated his crusade against illegal sand trade, issuing a blunt warning to cartels even as the county strengthened its conservation machinery by absorbing 44 staff of the Makueni Sand Conservation and Utilization Authority into permanent terms.
Speaking in Wote during the appointment ceremony, Mutula said illegal sand harvesting had become a direct attack on the county’s natural heritage and water security.
“We will not allow criminal networks to destroy our environment and undermine the dignity of our people,” he declared. “The era of rogue sand cartels operating with impunity in Makueni is over.”
The governor said his administration remains steadfast despite continued resistance from cartels who profit from environmental degradation.
“No amount of threats or intimidation will weaken our resolve. We will dismantle these networks one by one,” he added.
Mutula made special reference to Kilome, where a total ban on sand harvesting has now lasted two months. He noted that the county will decide on next steps after thorough environmental reviews by local committees.
“We must be satisfied that any future harvesting strictly complies with our regulations. We will only move when the environment tells us it is safe,” he said.
Beyond enforcement, the governor unveiled plans to position Makueni at the frontier of sand value addition.
“Our ambition is not just to protect sand but to convert it into high-value products that can create jobs and grow our revenue,” he said, adding that the county would invest in technology and infrastructure when resources allow.
At the same event, Mutula presided over the absorption of 44 Sand Authority employees into permanent and pensionable terms—a move he described as both a reward and a strategic reform to fortify Makueni’s conservation efforts.
“These officers have gone beyond the call of duty. This confirmation is not only an investment in their future but an investment in the future of our environment,” he stated.
He urged the newly absorbed staff to carry their duties with integrity and pride, saying their roles remain central to the county’s fight against resource plunder.
“You are now ambassadors of Makueni. Wear this responsibility with honour and professionalism,” Mutula said.
The ceremony also saw the unveiling of the Authority’s new Managing Director, Mr. Ndambuki Kioko, who is expected to steer the agency’s next phase of institutional growth. Mutula lauded the Authority for being “the most improved semi-autonomous agency in the county,” noting its contribution to rising own-source revenue.
With cartels now formally put on notice and the frontline conservation team reinforced, Makueni’s fight to protect its rivers, sand beds, and water sources is set for a more decisive and coordinated approach.
