Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i on Thursday suspended all mining activities on prisons' lands countrywide.
Speaking at Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru, Dr Matiang'i halted the extraction of natural resources from the areas ordering a review of all mining and quarrying contracts.
He further told the Prisons staff that the government is committed to reforms that will uplift working and living standards of Prisons Staff.
[caption caption="CS Fred Matiang'i speaking in Nyeri earlier in August 2018"]
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Mining in Kenya has resulted in various conflicts with indigenous communities claiming being shortchanged in the compensation process.
In March, the government launched an audit of the licences of mining companies to establish how they were issued.
A record 43 companies had their licences cancelled, with those who obtained the permits illegally at a high risk of having them revoked.
According to Section 31 of the Mining Act, the Mineral Rights board — comprising nine members, including the Treasury Principal Secretary — has as its core mandate to advise and recommend to the Cabinet Secretary on issues relating to granting, rejection, retention, renewal, suspension and revocation of licences.
Giving an update on the progress made by the board, Mining Principal Secretary John Omenge explained that: "The board is operational though it is facing financial constraints and cannot discharge its functions effectively.
"Kenya has resolved not to renew or issue new mining licences and permits until it resolves all pending issues and puts in place a smooth licensing regime," he added.
He noted that the audit had revealed that a majority of licences issued were done irregularly.
[caption caption="Base Titanium workers explores for titanium in Kenya’s Kwale County"]
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