By Nuru Salim
As the demand for building materials rises, the number of quarries is also increasing.
Stone extraction for construction is highly on demand and with limited land available for housing, quarries once used for stone extraction are becoming residential sites.
A unique trend has emerged as residents transform abandoned quarries into homes in Brazili and Magwangwani areas of Likoni, Mombasa County.
Labadia, a resident of Brazili shared his experience of living in a quarry.
“Living in such areas has benefited us due to privacy and enhanced security. The only issue is the drainage system. During heavy rains, we face a lot of challenges as water gets logged and can’t drain through the ground” he said.
Despite these issues. Labadia emphasized the sense of safety in the area noting that the quarries were once notorious for harboring criminals.
“Likoni has faced multiple cases of theft and murder where robbers use quarries as escape routes. Since people started building here, the quarries are no longer used for such purposes” he added.
Labadia also pointed out that despite warnings from authorities about the safety of living in quarries, no official measures have been taken to relocate the residents.
He added that the affordability and the stronger foundation of these quarry-built homes make them appealing.
“The houses here are much cheaper to build and the foundation is stronger than most traditional houses” he noted.
Similarly, Fatuma Bidala from Magwangwani expressed satisfaction with her quarry home though she acknowledged the environmental and safety risks.
“Living in such premises is quite good, but during the day, it gets extremely hot. Our quarry is near a road, and it’s dangerous when vehicles lose control and fall into the quarries. It’s a challenge for passers-by, but for us residents, we feel safe” she said.
Fatuma emphasized that for those living in quarries, the experience feels no different from living on the surface.
“There’s nothing different between living in the quarries and living on the upper ground. Everything seems normal to us” she added.
However, experts warn that living in quarries comes with significant environmental and safety risks.
The unstable terrain can pose a threat during heavy rains and without proper drainage systems, flooding can become a serious issue. Additionally, quarries located near roads present safety hazards as seen in Brazili where vehicles sometimes fall into the quarries.
The government has yet to take decisive action on whether to vacate these sites or implement safety regulations.
While residents like Labadia and Fatuma see benefits in living in quarries, the long-term consequences on the environment and public safety remain uncertain.
