Joho calls for dismantling of illegal mining cartels to boost Kenya’s economy, enhance regulatory standards
The Mining CS called on the officers to help him restore sanity in the industry that contributes barely one per cent to the nation's gross domestic product.
Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho has raised the alarm over the high rate of illegal mining in the country, revealing that over 90 per cent of the activities in Kenya operate outside the law.
Speaking on Thursday during the opening of a two-day induction training for officers of the newly established investigation section of the Mining Police Unit in Nairobi, Joho called for stern action to be taken in solving key concerns, including the evasion of royalties and non-compliance with regulatory standards.
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"About 90 per cent of the activities done either in direct mining or mineral trading are illegal. This is because the perpetrators of such activities neither pay royalties to the government nor adhere to set regulations," stated Joho.
He further called on the officers to help him restore sanity in the industry that contributes barely one per cent to the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) according to the latest data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.
"I want you to pursue the people sabotaging our economy by stealing what rightfully belongs to Kenyans. As you enforce the law against these people, make sure you go beyond the illegalities of a mining site and dismantle the web of financial transactions and international partners aiding this vice," Joho said.
In response, the officers, led by their newly appointed head Fatuma Ali, assured the CS that they would work tirelessly to end the menace that is costing the country billions of shillings annually.
"As the National Police Service, we give you our word that we will put our best foot forward to make the smuggling of minerals a thing of the past. We will nab these criminals whose apathetic attitude towards the Kenyan plight is robbing us of our future," said a confident Fatuma.
