95% of mining in Kenya is illegal - CS Joho says, vows to launch crackdown

Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho has revealed that 95 per cent of mining activities in Kenya are illegal.

Speaking in Mombasa on Tuesday, the CS called for enforcement as he vowed to act on illegal miners.

"95% of mining in Kenya is illegal today. We need enforcement and officers on the ground, and it takes resources," he stated, adding that the Ministry had already been made aware of individuals who were engaging in the mining of the minerals illegally, thereby flouting the Cabinet's resolution.

''Despite the robust measures instituted by the Ministry to safeguard these 14 strategic minerals, it has come to our attention that unscrupulous individuals, in total disregard of the law, have been prospecting, mining, and dealing in strategic minerals, particularly copper, coltan, and chromite,'' Joho added.

According to the CS, the 14 minerals, which include rare earth, coltan, nickel, radioactive, niobium, copper, lithium, chromite, graphite, tin, tantalum, tsavorite, uranium, and thorium, were declared strategic on October 14, 2023, via a Cabinet resolution.

Joho revealed that his ministry had already been made aware of individuals who were engaging in the mining of the minerals illegally, thereby flouting the Cabinet's resolution.

''Despite the robust measures instituted by the Ministry to safeguard these 14 strategic minerals, it has come to our attention that unscrupulous individuals, in total disregard of the law, have been prospecting, mining, and dealing in strategic minerals, particularly copper, coltan, and chromite,'' Joho added.

The CS warned those involved in the mining to stop their operations before they are caught and face the law.

''Such acts are in total disregard of the law protecting the minerals, and those individuals operate in total contravention of the laid-down procedures as stipulated in the Mining Act, 2016 and Mining (Strategic Minerals) Regulations, 2017,'' Joho stated.

In addition, he called on Members of Parliament to collaborate on developing a comprehensive policy framework aimed at enhancing the mining sector's contributions to Kenya's economy.

Addressing the National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry, and Mining on Tuesday, Joho highlighted the importance of working together to ensure the sector benefits all Kenyans.

The CS outlined several government strategies designed to ensure that the mining industry remains advantageous to the local population while enforcing compliance with licencing laws among investors.

"Hon. Members, I am under your purview as a Committee of the National Assembly. I am here to seek your support so that my Ministry can get adequate resources and a sound framework to accelerate the growth of the mining sector," he stated.