Interior and National Administration CS Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a stern warning to illegal miners in Turkana and West Pokot counties, saying their days are numbered.
He instructed the relevant security agencies to arrest those engaging in commercial mining despite the activity being halted over a lack of necessary licenses.
“We want to ensure this is a sector properly organised. The local community is not going to get anything if it’s not managed well,” said the CS.
Likewise, Mr Murkomen also stressed that the government will only get its share if the sector is properly regulated. Miners without licences are required to have the right documents.”
He noted that the small miners are allowed to mine, but the rest doing commercial mining, were stopped, but some people are still doing it at night with the protection of the militia.
Mining activity in Turkana and West Pokot counties, particularly along the border, was halted due to safety concerns and illegal operations.
This followed a series of fatal accidents and concerns about environmental pollution. As a result, the government ordered the closure of illegal mines and is enforcing licensing requirements.
