Kenya Chamber Of Mines Condemns Government High-Handedness In Mining Sector
By John Kariuki
The Chairman of the Kenya Chamber of Mines, Dr. Patrick Kanyoro, has strongly criticized recent actions by government officials targeting legitimate business operators in the mining sector. Speaking on Sunday, Dr. Kanyoro outlined the Chamber’s concerns over a controversial raid conducted by authorities, which he claims unfairly labeled law-abiding businesses as criminal enterprises.
Dr. Kanyoro clarified that members of the Chamber, including operators dealing in copper and green garnet, had declared their stockpiles to the government in July 2024 as required by law. He expressed dismay that despite this transparency, officials from the Ministry of Mining, including the Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary, and officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), carried out a raid and publicly alleged that the minerals in question were illegal.
“These minerals are not illegal,” Dr. Kanyoro stated firmly. He also disputed the government’s valuation of the minerals at over Ksh 200 million, explaining that the actual worth is closer to Ksh 4 million. He urged government representatives to consult industry professionals before making such exaggerated and misleading claims, which only serve to harm the sector’s reputation.
The raid, which has garnered widespread public attention, also led to the arrest of a physically disabled individual who was storing the minerals. Dr. Kanyoro described the arrest as unjust, highlighting the individual’s inability to effectively communicate due to language barriers. He condemned the government’s high-handed approach, emphasizing that such actions not only violate basic rights but also send a chilling message to the business community.
Dr. Kanyoro further raised concerns about the potential diplomatic fallout of the incident, particularly regarding the profiling of Chinese nationals. “Minerals trade globally, and China remains a key market for Kenya. Targeting and profiling nationals of specific countries can harm our international relations and economic interests,” he cautioned.
Addressing legal ambiguities, Dr. Kanyoro clarified that Kenyan law does not prohibit individuals from possessing mineral specimens. The law only requires proper licensing for commercial dealings. He also defended the use of tools like spectrometers and XRF machines, which are standard in the industry for analyzing materials, rejecting the notion that their possession is illegal.
The Chairman called on the government to engage with the mining industry in a more fair and professional manner. He criticized the public statements made by officials, describing them as “roadside declarations” that mislead the public and tarnish the image of the sector.
The Kenya Chamber of Mines reaffirmed its commitment to working with the government to ensure the mining sector operates within a framework of fairness, transparency, and respect for the rights of business owners. Dr. Kanyoro emphasized that cooperation, not confrontation, is the path to a thriving mining industry that contributes to Kenya’s economic growth.
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