The Principal Secretary for Mining Elijah Mwangi has warned all illegal miners in Migori County to cease operations and seek legal mining licences.
Mwangi who led a multi-agency security team and mining officials in an operation to enforce the closure orders in nine illegal large-scale mining operators in the county said that anyone who will be involved in the illegal mining business would face the full force of the law.
The operation nabbed 32 illegal miners, two Kenyans and 30 foreigners of Chinese origin. If found guilty the culprits may face a jail term not exceeding two years or a fine of not less than two million shillings and no more than Sh10 million or both according to the Kenya Mining Act of 2016.
The Act also gives power to the Inspectors of Police and Inspectors of Mining to arrest those violating the Mining Act within their jurisdictions.
The PS said that all illegal mining operations will remain closed and perpetrators arrested until all those involved in the mining chain of processing and distribution acquire the mining, processing and dealership licences to operate.
Mwangi said that the country was losing a lot of revenue resources that could have benefited the national and county governments due to illegal miners.
The official also added that the illegal mining activities have continued to violate the environmental laws leading to environmental degradation that has become a big threat to the surrounding communities.
In March this year, one of the illegal mining processing plants in Nyatike Sub County discharged its waste to one of the spring water points resulting in six people being hospitals while three cows and goats perished.
Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Interior and National Administration. Prof. Kithure Kindiki while on a security tour in the County in late March, gave out closure orders to all illegal miners but the miners have been defying the closure orders and operating their sites with impunity.
By Geoffrey Makokha
