Mining Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya on Wednesday announced the discovery of coltan deposits in six Kenyan counties.
The mineral is a key element used in the manufacturing of phones and other technological gadgets like computers and electronics.
While speaking in Embu County, Mvurya revealed that mineral deposits have been discovered in Turkana, Embu, Samburu, Tana River, Kitui, and West Pokot counties.
This is a significant discovery that will enable the country to manufacture cheap phones and supply materials to the world. President William Ruto had promised that Kenya would manufacture affordable phones for as cheap as Ksh5,000.
According to the Mining Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, the discovery is set to further strategically position Kenya as an emerging titan in the global mining sector.
"This follows the completion of Nation Wide Airborne Geophysical Survey that identified over 970 minerals occurrences across the country," Mwangi stated.
During the visit to Embu, CS Mvurya toured the mining zone in Ntharawe, Kiritiri Mbeere South where substantial deposits of gemstones and coltan were discovered.
He interacted with hundreds of artisanal miners under the Mbeere Artisanal Miners Cooperative Society.
On the other hand, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire vowed to work with the national government to empower artisanal miners through the formation of marketing cooperatives.
"I am looking forward to a progressive report that will attract investors and investments that will open up the Ntharawe area and greatly improve the social economic lives of the communities," Mbarire stated.
She revealed also that the national government intends to put up a geological laboratory to assist in testing within the County.
Following the discovery, a team of 23 from the State Department for Mining will remain behind to assess the quality and quantity of minerals in the area.
