Ministry launches crackdown on illegal mining

A woman prospects for gold at a mine in Nyatike, Migori County. [Caleb Kingwara, Standard]

Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs has launched a crackdown on illegal mining activities that have escalated in recent days.

Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya said that mining in Kenya has not been given attention and necessary commitments to ensure its growth.

"We are committed to investing and making sure that the workers in the mining sector get the necessary inspiration," Mvurya said.

He spoke on Friday while launching the first fleet of 18 vehicles to be availed for officers in the state department.

In addition, Mvurya said the sector is working on reforms following a directive from President William Ruto.

He said this will ensure that the sector has reliable mining data in the various counties.

According to Mvurya, a team has been deployed to various parts of the country in to collect reliable data.

The exercise, he said, is expected to bring forth data from 24 counties by June this year.

The data will be used to ensure that mining becomes a frontier in the country's economic development.

Further, Mvurya announced the ministry's commitment to support mining officers in respective areas.

"I have just flagged off the first fleet of 18 vehicles to make sure that the regions are functional."

Stressing the significance of value addition, Mvurya said this move, will see a total of 368 new staff hired.

"We are now in the process of concluding the first 167, and in the next one month or so, we will also embark on the rest of the team," he said.