The ‘Market on Graves’ project in Taita Tavet halted by Neema

Nema has now ordered the Taita-Taveta county government to conduct an environmental impact assessment before it embarks on the Sh1.3 million stalls project in Bura Ndogo village. Nema county coordinator Edith Kalo said the agency had issued the order to the county’s trade department.

Ms Kalo said a number of procedures were not followed before the project started. “They must also indicate that they want to convert the cemetery into a market so the assessment report must be accompanied by a social cultural impact report,” she added.

The Nema official said county officials must also show how they will dispose of the remains exhumed during the construction of the market. She said if the officials fail to address these issues, the authority will take measures, including seeking a court order, to stop the project. “If they fail to comply then we will seek other measures to enforce the directive. This will include moving to court,” she said.