WEST POKOT, Kenya – Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has sounded the alarm over rampant illegal mining activities in Turkana and West Pokot, warning that those operating outside the law will face swift arrest and prosecution.
Speaking during a visit to the North Rift region, Murkomen directed security agencies to take immediate action against individuals and groups engaging in unlicensed commercial mining, saying the government will no longer tolerate lawlessness in the extractives sector.
“We want to ensure this is a sector properly organised. The local community is not going to get anything if it’s not managed well,” the CS said.
Briefed on the state of security in West Pokot County ahead of our Jukwaa La Usalama engagement.While the county is largely calm, livestock theft, illicit mining, illegal immigrants, border and resource disputes are some of the challenges that need urgent addressing.We
He emphasized that while small-scale artisanal miners will be allowed to operate within set regulations, large-scale commercial mining without proper documentation remains banned — a directive that was issued following a spate of fatal mining accidents and growing environmental degradation in the region.
“Miners without licences must get the right documents. Some people are still conducting commercial mining at night under militia protection. That must stop,” Murkomen said.
The government halted all mining activity along the Turkana–West Pokot border earlier this year due to safety hazards, illegal operations, and widespread use of unregulated explosives.
Authorities also cited the growing influence of armed groups in protecting rogue miners.
Murkomen stressed that unless the sector is properly regulated, neither local communities nor the government would benefit from the mineral wealth.
The renewed crackdown comes as the Ministry of Interior steps up efforts to streamline extractive operations across Kenya’s resource-rich but often insecure northern frontier.
