CS Joho Raids Illegal Miners’ Go-Down, Seizes Minerals
Mining CS Ali Hassan Joho has issued a harsh warning to illegal immigrants and Kenyans involved in illicit mining, threatening prosecution and prison sentences.
He said during a raid on a go-down in Nairobi that resulted in the arrest of four illicit mineral harvesters.
The four, three Chinese and one Kenyan, were caught with plans to export copper, lead, zinc, and iron, among other minerals.
To combat illegal mining in the country, Joho stated that the ministry will do everything possible to preserve Kenya’s resources from exploitation by unauthorised agents.
“Officers from the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested four people including three Chinese nationals and one Kenyan for illegal mining across the country,” he said.
We have cases whereby foreigners use tourist visas to access the gemstones sites and procure minerals and that’s illegal because they don’t have a license. We are on alert and the laws requires that apart from forfeiting the minerals, you can be imprisoned for 5 years or a… pic.twitter.com/fRKxIBnoH2
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) December 28, 2024
The four were accused of carrying out unlawful mining activities in Kitui, Migori, and Embu counties.
They were captured after an operation by the DCI, in collaboration with the mining police unit.
They were accused of trafficking in at least ten minerals worth millions of shillings.
During the operation, copper, zinc, lead, and iron worth Ksh 200 million were impounded.
The DCI claims that the minerals confiscated were unlawfully mined and trafficked at Kins and Shenad Business Parks, as well as Eagle Plane Estate in Athi River, Machakos County.
The illegal materials were held in a go-down owned by a Kenyan but leased to a Chinese corporation, which had previously contained minerals discovered during unlawful activities.
According to the CS, the government will take action not just against illegal miners, but also against those who facilitate the activities, such as those who lease commercial premises to keep unlawfully mined materials.
“Whoever is assisting them must also pay, nobody will be spared, for example, this person who leased this space to the Chinese, they must know what is going on, and people must take responsibility,” the CS warned.
The CS said that his ministry will send an official notice to all physical space owners warning them against harboring illicit firms.
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According to Joho, business owners must be informed of what is happening on the premises they lease.
Kenyans and foreigners engaging in illicit mining have been warned that they will all be apprehended, with the CS maintaining that no one is above the law and that all perpetrators must face the consequences.
In January, the CS established an investigative arm inside the Mining Police Unit of the ministry to put an end to unlawful mineral prospecting and mining throughout the country.
“When minerals are stolen, they are gone for good. I want to ensure that we have teams in place to ensure the law is followed,” the CS assured at the time.
CS Joho Raids Illegal Miners’ Go-Down, Seizes Minerals
