Thirteen Mining sites in Dabel Location, Moyale Sub-county in Marsabit County are now a disturbed area, interior Cabinet Secretary (CS), Prof Kithure Kindiki, has declared.
Prof. Kindiki has also ordered for a one week rapid assessment in the affected County, to ascertain if there were other areas with mineral deposits and which could attract a problem, akin to that in Dabel.
The CS who toured the area, soon after issuing a gazette, notice declaring the mining area as dangerous, said Kenya was a country governed by the rule of Law and advised that every investment should be carried out as per the Constitution.
He noted with satisfaction that the local County Security Teams had managed to clear the affected area, popularly known as Hillo, of the thousands of illegal artisanal miners, majority of whom were migrants from outside the country.
Prof Kindiki directed the County Police Commander, Nyambu Mwakio, to ensure that the affected area was not accessed by any person, including public servants and ensure it remained an operation area as stated.
The gazette notice signed, today, by the CS read in part, “Pursuant to Section 8(1) of the Public Order Act, Cap 56 of the Laws of Kenya, and Section 106(1) of the National Police Service Act, no person may be found present in the areas specified in the Gazette Notice at any time without the written authority of the County Police Commander, Marsabit County.”
The CS pointed out that it was of great concern how unauthorized aliens moved into the country and started exploiting highly valuable minerals with unknown beneficiaries of the proceeds.
“We have no room for any security breach”, he said, adding that it was mind boggling how foreigners ended-up at the as their motives could be suspect.
The mining sites that were declared security zones are Hilo Karray, Hillo Hudda, Hillo Qoranjido, Hillo Irress Shindia, Hillo Rabaalee and Hillo Godde Haroressa.
Others include Hillo Gorgora, Hillo Orofa, Hillo Walkite, Hillo Tanzania, Hillo Iress Abamartile, Hillo Gootu and Hillo Tessum Qalicha.
The CS, however, asked the County Security Team headed by County Commissioner, Nobert Komora, to allow miners with machinery like crushing units on the ground to move them away.
In addition, Prof. Kindiki made it clear that no any other government agency would be allowed into the remedying and restoration of the area, which has also been subjected to huge environmental degradation.
He asked the County Commissioner, to task National Government Administrations in the 10 Sub-counties and the State Department of Mining in establishing other potential mining areas in Marsabit, so that appropriate measures can be taken to avoid a repeat of what happened in Dabel.
Also present was the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Noor Gabow, Senior Superintendent Inspector of Mines, Jidruph Baru and the County Criminal Investigations Office (CCIO), Luka Tumbo.
Last Sunday, a skirmish between two groups of artisanal miners left Six people dead and scores of others with injuries over control of gold deposits at Hillo Orofa mining site.
By Sebastian Miriti
