Lijin Mining Limited, a Chinese company has been ordered to shut down its operation by the High Court.
This is after it was established that the firm was operating illegally, besides polluting the environment.
Justice G.M.A Ongondo, while making his ruling established that Lijin Mining Limited was going against the rights of the Nyatike residents by denying them a clean and healthy environment as listed in Article 42 of the Kenyan constitution.
He also ruled that the company was operating in the area illegally, as they did not have a licence to conduct mining in the area.
Nyatike Member of Parliament Tom Odege had forwarded a petition to the court to order for its closure.
He was supported by the Attorney General, the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining, and the Director of Mines.
Till the ruling, Lijin Company had been exploring the Malcader area in Nyatike Constituency for gold and copper.
Odege alleged that the mining company was operating in cahoots with a local political leader.
The influx of Chinese nationals operating companies has been on the rise since Kenya struck a deal with China on the construction of the SGR.
Some of the Chinese nationals have found themselves on the wrong arm of the law for operating illegal businesses in the country.
