The County Government of Nyamira has banned the mining of Kaolin, also known as China clay, which is a fine, white, soft clay that is primarily composed of the mineral kaolinite and is mainly used to make ceramics.
In a gazette notice published on Friday, Nyamira County Governor Amos Nyaribo announced a ban on mining activities of the mineral citing concerns over illegal and unregulated operations.
Consequently, the governor directed that all previous mining licences that had been issued by the county be cancelled.
”Now therefore, in the exercise of the powers conferred by the Fourth Schedule, Part 2 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 as read together with Section 30 of the County Government Act (No. 17 of 2012), Gazette Notice No. 16472 of 2024 and all other enabling laws; there be a Temporal Cessation of all Kaolin Mining activities until further notice, to allow the National Government and County Government fully streamline Kaolin Mining activities,” the notice by Governor Nyaribo read in part.
Nyamira Governor Nyamira Amos Nyaribo addressing the media on December 18, 2020
Additionally, Nyaribo directed that miners wishing to continue their activities after the ban must apply for new licenses.
”That, persons interested in exploiting Kaolin are advised to apply for fresh mining permits upon compliance with the Legal Requirements spelled out in the Mining Act, 2016, Environmental Management and Coordination Act, 1999, and all other relevant laws,” the notice stated.
”Persons interested in exploiting Kaolin are advised to apply for fresh mining permits upon compliance with the Legal Requirements spelled out in the Mining Act, 2016, Environmental Management and Coordination Act, 1999, and all other relevant laws.”
According to the Governor, the decision to ban the mining of kaolin was arrived at following the increased instances of unauthorized individuals who had been exploiting the locals.
Nyaribo added that the county government of Nyamira has been suffering revenue loss due to the unstructured dealings of the miners.
At the same time, he disclosed that citizens who own land in Nyamira where the mineral deposits lie, had been subjects of exploitation.
”It has been noted that these natural resources are being exploited by unauthorized private individuals in an unstructured manner that has led to undue exploitation of the local citizens who own land, loss of job opportunities, loss of revenue due to the County Government and lack of safety guarantees to the people of Nyamira,” the notice stated.
In October last year, the national government through the Ministry of Mining suspended the mining of Kaolin in Kiabiraa, Manga Sub County in Nyamira County.
This followed complaints of exploitation, revenue loss, and unstructured mining within the devolved unit.
The ban by the State Department of Mining was followed soon by another one from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) over environmental and health risks.
Nyamira County further directed all county enforcement officers in collaboration with the National Government agencies to ensure that the ban is complied with, to enable the government to streamline services.
Mining and Blue Economy CS Ali Hassan Joho at a past event, January 1, 2025
Photo
Ali Hassan Joho