The government has ordered closure of 13 artisanal mining sites in Marsabit county to contain insecurity in the region. The move which will disrupt income flow in the area comes few months after the State partially lifted a 2019 moratorium imposed to carry out reforms in Kenya’s mining sector.
In a special gazette notice, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration said the affected sites- Hillo Gorgora, Hillo Orofa, Hillo Wakite, Hillo Tanzania, Hillo Irres Abamartille, Hillo Gootu, HilloTessum Qalicha, Hillo Karray Hillo Hudda, Hillo Qoranjido, Hillo Irress Shindia, Hillo Rabaalee and Hillo Godde Haroressa-will not be operational in the next one month.
The move follows a spate of grave security breaches at the Dabel Artisinal Mining Sites within Golbo Division of Marsabit County.
The area has been rife with armed criminals facilitating trade in narcotic drugs, while seven people including two aliens were killed this week in gang rivalries among the illegal artisinal miners on site. Cases of rape, defilement and gender-based violence have been booked.
“Effective 0630 Hours, 14th March 2024, the Dabel Artisinal Mining Sites described in Gazette Notice No.3032 of even date, have been declared dangerous and disturbed and vacation orders issued,” said Cabinet Secretary Interior and National Administration Kithure Kindiki.
“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.”
“As such, the Gazetted areas remain under the domination of National security agencies and no access to, or activity of any nature whatsoever is permitted in the said areas during the pendency of the orders herein.”
The orders shall remain in force at all times but they may be terminated, withdrawn, varied, continued or otherwise altered as the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration may direct.
To position mining and the extractives sector as a springboard for industrialization, job creation, and exports development, Cabinet in October last year considered and approved a raft of reforms on the administration of the mining sector.
The Cabinet vacated the prohibition on mining using traditional and customary means known as Artisanal mining. Cabinet approved the proposal that the miners be encouraged to form co-operatives or groups, which will in turn receive group permits.
According to the Ministry, artisanal and small-scale miners are crucial in poverty eradication and social economic development. To date, over 200 artisanal groups has been formalized awaiting issuance of mining permits by Artisanal Mining Committee.
To reduce exploitation of Artisanal miners by middlemen, the State Department in collaboration with County Governments has initiated the process of setting aside mineral trading centers where buyers and sellers can trade their commodities in the presence of Government Officers.
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