CS urges mining officers to uphold integrity, fight illegal mining

FRANCIS MUENDO AND ANNE KANGERO-KNA

Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, Hassan Joho, has urged mining officers across the country to uphold integrity, enhance compliance, and streamline mining operations.

He emphasized that illegal mining remains one of the greatest threats to the sector, often resulting in environmental degradation, revenue losses, and unsafe working conditions.

He challenged the Officers to remain vigilant and strengthen enforcement mechanisms to protect both investors and local communities.

“There is need for enhancing compliance across the sector, creating a conducive environment for investment, addressing operational challenges and intensifying efforts to eradicate illegal mining activities that undermine sustainable development,” said Joho.

Speaking during a high-level induction workshop held in Machakos, Joho emphasized the need for effective governance structures and strict adherence to regulations including the Mining Act, 2016, noting that County Mining Officers play a critical role in ensuring the sector operates efficiently and transparently.

“A key area of focus is the need to strengthen community capacity through awareness and education programs. Empowering local communities with the necessary knowledge and information will enable them to participate meaningfully and positively in the development of our mineral resources,” he said. 

The Workshop included County Mining Officers from across the country alongside senior officials from the State Department for Mining, to deliberate strategies aimed at enhancing the management of Kenya’s mineral resources.

The engagement comes at a time when the government is seeking to unlock the full potential of the mining sector, as a key contributor to economic growth, job creation and the implementation of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

Principal Secretary, Harry Kimtai, who was present during the workshop, echoed the Cabinet Secretary’s sentiments, highlighting the strategic role County Mining Officers play as the ministry’s representatives at the grassroots level.

Kimtai said the workshop was designed to align the officers with the ministry’s vision of promoting responsible, transparent and sustainable mineral resource development.

“We underscored the critical role of the officers in streamlining mining operations, strengthening sector governance and ensuring full compliance with the Mining Act, 2016,” said Kimtai.

The PS emphasized that effective implementation of mining policies at the county level is crucial in achieving the government’s broader development goals.