Mining CS Hassan Joho looks at minerals confiscated during
raid in Nairobi, Athi River/HANDOUTMining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary
Hassan Joho led a raid on an illegal mineral dealership in a residential estate in
Nairobi and the Athi River.
During the raid, sacks containing rocks containing iron ore, copper, zinc and lead worth over Sh200 million were confiscated.
Three foreign nationals and a Kenyan were arrested during the raid.
“They have been evading paying taxes to the Kenya Revenue Authority and stolen from us. We are not getting anything,” Joho stated during inspection of the minerals confiscated.
Some of the minerals confiscated are used in the manufacture of car batteries.
“These are high-value minerals which we are not getting anything from,” he said.
Also confiscated was a spectrometer for detecting minerals
that are radioactive.
The raid comes barely three weeks after Joho launched an investigative arm in the ministry.
Joho said minerals are resources that belong to the Kenyan people not only for today but for future generations.
“When minerals are stolen, they are gone for good. I want to ensure that we have teams in place to ensure the law is followed. I also want to assure players in the industry that the ministry is here to offer support as long as you do the right thing,” he stated on January 8.
Joho urged mining companies to work closely with the local community and pay them their dues.
He also asked the firms to work closely with the county government and pay royalties.
In April last year, the government deployed a special police unit to tackle widespread illegal exploration and mining of minerals.
The Mining Police Unit is mandated to pursue miners, prospectors, and dealers violating the industry law and regulations.
The unit is under the command of the Inspectorate of Mines.
Illegal exploration, exploitation, and dealing in minerals are penalised through a fine of up to Sh10 million or a jail term of two years or both under the Mining Act 2016.