Cement Factory Construction Suspended After Itimboni Community Protest
By Anchor Writer
Itimboni, Machakos County – May 6, 2025
The Machakos County Government has suspended the construction of a controversial cement factory in Itimboni village following sustained community resistance over environmental and safety concerns.
In a letter issued yesterday, County Executive for Lands, Housing, Urban Development and Energy, Nathaniel Nganga, directed Lambodat Cement Lukenya Limited to cease all construction activity.
He further directed the firm’s director Dinesh Lakhman to organise publi participation meetings with the residents as part of the procedural steps to aquire approvals.
The firm has remained tight-lipped since The Anchor sought its comment over the turn of events
The directive effectively annuls prior approvals granted for the development of a godown and grinding mill for cement processing on Plot L.R. No. Athiriver/Athiriver Block 1/68 in Kyumbi area.
The decision follows months of community opposition, culminating in a formal petition dated May 3, 2025, by the Itimboni Community Development Forum.
The petition, signed by Dr. Timothy Kilonzo, the Forum’s chairman, requested urgent disclosure of all approvals issued to Lambodat Cement, citing constitutional and legal provisions under the Access to Information Act and Article 35 of the Constitution of Kenya.
The community’s concerns stem from a public participation forum held on November 21, 2024, where residents—alongside government officers including the Assistant County Commissioner -Kinanie Division, Assistant Chief of Mathatani, and the area MCA Mr Francis Kavyu —unanimously rejected the proposed development.
A total of 215 residents signed against the project, citing risks to health, the environment, and the peaceful character of the residential village.
Despite this, the community says that their request for documentation, including change-of-user notices, boundary wall approvals, construction plans, and planning department correspondence, has not received any response from either the county government or the National Environment Management Authority
During a well-attended community meeting earlier today, convened by Chief Officer Lombo Papaa, residents were assured that the county had annulled all prior construction approvals.
The community now insists that NEMA formally withdraws any environmental impact assessment (EIA) approvals that may have been issued to the company.
The Lambodat Cement project had attracted public outcry for its location in the heart of a densely settled village along the Nairobi- Mombasa highway, sparking fears of pollution, noise, and industrial encroachment.
Itimboni is located immediately after Kyumbi hill and runs parallel to the road, adjacent to Maanzoni area.
The suspension is now seen by the community as a critical step toward protecting their environment and constitutional rights.
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