The Ministry of Mining has halted operations at East Africa Portland Cement (EAPC) and its three quarries, citing unpaid debt and regulatory violations.

Gregory Kituku, the ministry's director, announced that the shutdown follows a cement levy debt of Sh500 million that the company owes the government.

Kituku also disclosed that EAPC has been conducting mining activities without proper authorisation since 2013.

The closure affects the Portland Quarry and Sparetech Ltd in Kajiado, as well as the Kibini Quarry in Sultan Hamud.

According to the ministry, these quarries lacked essential safety measures, such as safety gear for workers and registers for vehicles transporting limestone and other materials.

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“Police officers have been deployed to the quarries and the company’s headquarters to ground to a halt all activities,” Kituku stated.

He further criticised the company for failing to pay government levies, which he said deprived the local community of potential benefits.

The two quarries in Kajiado transport 21 lorries daily, each carrying 30 tonnes of materials.

However, the lack of compliance with government regulations has raised concerns about safety and accountability.

Responding to the shutdown, a company supervisor termed the move "unfortunate," expressing concerns about the impact on employment.

"Many youth will lose their jobs in the quarries, and we ask the government to be remorseful," the supervisor pleaded.

EAPC, a major player in Kenya’s construction industry, now faces pressure to resolve its financial and operational issues to resume activities.

The Ministry of Mining's actions underscore the government’s firm stance on compliance and accountability in the sector.