THAT aware that Article 55 (b) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 requires the state to take measures, including affirmative action programmes, to ensure that the youth have opportunities to associate, be represented and participate in political, social, economic and other spheres of life; further aware that mineral excavations and quarrying activities in various parts of the County has led to development of infrastructure, created employment opportunities, growth of towns and has contributed to the establishment of various industries; concerned that despite the economic gains, mineral extraction and quarry activities result into environmental degradation and pollution that cause health hazards such as respiratory diseases and accidents in abandoned quarry pits without safety fences; deeply concerned that due to poverty and inadequate education, most quarry workers operate without protective clothing and appliances, or use deteriorated protective gears that compromise safety; acknowledging that Section 101 (1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007 provides that every employer should provide and maintain for the use of employees adequate, effective and suitable protective clothing and appliances, including, where necessary, suitable gloves, footwear, goggles and head coverings, especially the employees who are involved in activities such as breaking or dressing of stone, concrete or slag at their work place; further acknowledging the need for the County Government of Nairobi in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resource to empower, promote, and provide safety for the quarry workers in various sites in the County; this Assembly resolves that the Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) in conjunction with the County Executive partners with the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resource towards initiation of the following interventions for excavation and quarry workers:

1.Encourage all workers in such sites to register SACCOs that would attract recognitions for supply opportunities for the County Governments;

2.Undertake a Health and Occupational safety programmes that would see all quarry workers in the County issued with free protective clothing and appliances and sensitized on occupational safety; and,

3.A land refill levy be introduced and included in the subsequent County Finance Act with 40% of the soil refill per lorry being channeled for support and welfare of the registered Quarry SACCOs; and 4.County Government to encourage such SACCOs to apply for government tenders relating to provision of construction materials for self-reliance.