By Martin Masai
Residents Accuse State Officials of Attempting to Force Cement Plant Through Fresh Public Participation
Residents of Itimboni in Kyumbi, Mavoko Sub-County, have renewed their resistance against a proposed cement processing plant, accusing government officials of attempting to override an earlier community decision that rejected the project.
Through their lawyers, the community has protested a fresh public participation exercise scheduled for March 13, 2026, arguing that it is illegal and intended to defeat the will of residents who had already overwhelmingly opposed the project.
In a formal letter addressed to the Deputy County Commissioner of Mavoko Sub-County, the Director General of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and several Machakos County officials, the residents say the process being convened again is procedurally improper and unlawful.
The letter, written by advocate Joseph Mwongela on behalf of the Itimboni community, states that the dispute over the proposed installation of a cement processing industry by Lambodat Cement Lukenya Limited has already been the subject of legal and administrative processes.
According to the residents, the matter initially arose after a public participation exercise conducted on November 21, 2024 by the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment consultants. During that forum, attended by local administrators, Machakos County officials and political leaders, more than 200 residents formally objected to the project and appended their signatures to confirm their opposition.
Following the objections, the community filed a case at the Environment and Land Court in Machakos in April 2025 seeking to block the project. The suit was later withdrawn after the Machakos County Government revoked approvals that had earlier been issued for the development.
The residents say the revocation was confirmed through a suspension letter issued on May 6, 2025 by the County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Urban Development, Housing and Energy.
They further note that a consultative meeting convened by the Machakos County Government at the Mavoko Municipal Chambers subsequently deliberated on the objections raised by the community. According to the minutes of that meeting, county officials reinforced the earlier decision to revoke the approvals granted to the cement company.
It is on that basis that the community now considers the planned public participation exercise to be irregular and unlawful.
“Our client finds it extremely irregular, unlawful and procedurally improper that the proponent is purporting to conduct another public participation exercise,” the lawyers wrote.
The residents argue that the community had already expressed its position through a duly convened and documented public participation process and that the competent county authorities had already acted on those objections.
They also raise planning concerns, arguing that the Itimboni area is zoned for light industrial development and not heavy industrial activities such as cement processing plants.
According to the lawyers, the project proponents only obtained a change of user from agricultural land to light industrial development, which they say does not permit the establishment of a cement processing facility.
The community says allowing such a development in a densely populated residential neighbourhood would expose residents to environmental and health risks, contrary to the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act and the constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment.
They have now warned authorities, including NEMA, not to receive or act on any minutes, reports or documentation arising from the disputed public participation exercise.
Instead, the residents have advised the developers to engage the office of the Machakos Governor in order to be allocated land in areas designated for heavy industrial activities.
The dispute reflects growing tensions in Mavoko Sub-County where residents increasingly fear that rapid industrial expansion around Athi River is encroaching into residential zones.
For the Itimboni community, the renewed attempt to revive the project has only deepened suspicion that powerful interests are determined to push the cement plant through despite earlier objections and official revocation of approvals.
Residents say they remain ready to defend their neighbourhood and environment if the project is forced forward again.
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