Nairobi, Jan. 19 -- A court has ordered a Chinese road contractor to halt quarrying operations and blocked the launch of an asphalt plant after finding that the projects posed environmental and safety risks, such as flying rocks, to nearby residents.

The Environment and Land Court restrained China Henan International Cooperation (CHICO) Group and its Kenyan partner, Aztec Infrastructure Kenya, from continuing quarry works in the Bosinange area, Kisii County, pending the hearing of a constitutional petition lodged by 31 residents.

In a ruling that places renewed scrutiny on foreign-backed infrastructure projects, the judge said the court was persuaded that the operations threatened the community's right to a clean and healthy environment...