CS Joho warns illegal miners of stern action

Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho has issued a stern warning to illegal miners in the Nyanza region, pledging to take decisive action against them.

Speaking at the Nyanza Regional Mining Headquarters in Kisumu, Joho decried the significant losses incurred by the government due to illegal mining operations.

He highlighted that these illegal activities have cost the government billions of shillings in lost revenue, primarily because these entities fail to remit royalties.

The crackdown follows a year after the government decriminalised artisanal mining, directing the formation of cooperatives to support artisanal miners.

Joho also issued a warning to private gold investors who conduct exploration without engaging local communities. He noted that his ministry had received complaints from communities about private investors who bypass local consent before starting mining operations.

"Going forward, my ministry will not renew the licenses of investors who cannot provide proof of consultation with local communities, opinion leaders, and county governments where they operate. We do not want a situation where investors occupy numerous locations, denying people their rights. We welcome investors, but their involvement must be meaningful. If you don't engage communities, we have no business engaging you," Joho said.

He added, "people have ancestral rights and belong to certain areas. Do not waste your time applying for license renewal if communities are not involved; we will not approve it."

Joho also instructed mining officers in the region to actively monitor mining sites and refrain from generating reports from the comfort of their desks. He emphasised the need to halt illegal mining operations and urged police officers to collaborate with his ministry to ensure offenders are apprehended.

"My officers in this region have raised concerns about mobility. Today, I have provided vehicles; they must now get to work and monitor the mining sites. We see significant illegal mining in this region, and we must take it very seriously. Go to the ground, stop illegal mining before it reaches my office," he said.

The Mining CS further noted that those engaged in legal mining operations and reporting their challenges to the ministry are suffering more than those conducting illegal activities. He also announced plans to station officers at border points to prevent the illegal export of the country's valuable resources.

"My officers must provide me with a list of illegal operations and those apprehended. The next time I return to this region and see no progress, there will be consequences. The police must also use their resources in the fight against illegal mining because these are public resources. You must support our officers on the ground, or we will have problems," warned Joho.