Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho has said that the Mining Investigative Unit has seized five containers with Copper that were set for export at the Port of Mombasa.
According to Joho, the containers had false declaration on their contents and had been transported from Nairobi.
He went on to say that the containers were destined for China.
“I am encouraged that the revamped Mining Investigation Unit today seized five containers at the Port of Mombasa, with false declaration of their contents. Investigations reveal that the containers containing carrying copper, which were transported by road from Nairobi to Mombasa, were intended for export to China,” the statement reads in part.
Joho said the ministry’s efforts to bring to a stop illegal exploitation of Kenya’s mineral resources has gained momentum and will be upscaled.
“The ongoing crackdown aimed at curbing the illicit exploitation of our country’s mineral resources is gaining significant momentum by the day.”
The CS insisted that illegal mining denies the country the vital revenue it needs for national development.
He further warned all illegal miners and those aiding the practice that once the law catches up with them, it will not be easy.
“Copper is not only a high-value mineral but also a strategic resource. Its illegal exploitation denies the country vital revenue that is needed for national development.
“We are once again sending out a clear and strong message to illegal miners, dealers and their accomplices that these illegal activities will face the full force of the law,” Joho added.
This comes barely three weeks after he 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 the 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.
Last month, Joho launched an investigative arm in the ministry.
He 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 said on January 8, 2025.
