The Ministry of Mining and Blue Economy on Wednesday announced it had shut down several mining sites across the county over non-compliance.
Mining Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya while appearing before the Senate noted the mining sites closed following investigations that unearthed illegalities by the miners.
According to CS Mvurya, among the counties where mining activities were suspended include Siaya, Migori, Narok, Marsabit and Isiolo.
"There was a very big mining area in Marsabit, in Dabel, which has now been closed due to illegal mining. We have also closed mining in Isiolo, and for the last two weeks, our officers were in Migori, Siaya and Narok," CS Mvurya stated.
The CS further revealed that an order had been issued directing the immediate deportation of investors operating mining sites in the country without prerequisite documents.
Mvurya while commenting on the matter noted that the Ministry of Mining had been informed of several investors who were illegally in the country and were operating unlicensed mining sites.
“They did not have papers, they did not have anything to show they work in Kenya," CS Salim Mvurya commented.
"So we have recommended their deportation and contacted our other colleagues to do thorough investigations,” he added.
Mvurya while encouraging compliance with mining laws noted the government would soon embark on another crackdown to shut down more sites.
“The process of clamping illegal miners is ongoing and we went low a bit because of the weather, and we encourage investors to operate within the legal framework," the CS remarked.
According to Mvurya, the cabinet had already approved the formation of a mining police unit which will aid in arresting illegal miners across the country.
Mvurya noted that the mining police officers had already been trained on the mining regulations and that they would be dispatched to various regions in the next phase of the crackdown.
