Senators are demanding the publication of the findings of the aerial geophysical survey of Kenya’s mineral resources undertaken between 2019 and 2022.  

The survey was conducted to establish which minerals are available, their commercial value and where natural minerals are deposited across the country.

This, even as it sought to know the details of the advisory by the Mineral Rights Board and the Director of Mines on the declaration of the 14 minerals as strategic.

In a statement on the floor of the House by Migori Senator Eddy Oketch, the senators are questioning why President William Ruto’s administration has failed to publish the findings of a survey done to establish where Kenya’s minerals are deposited.

“The committee should establish the findings of the aerial geophysical survey of Kenya’s mineral resources undertaken between 2019 and 2022 and the reasons for the failure by the government to publish the said findings, including the projected timelines for such a publication,” Oketch charged.

Senate also wants to know whether the Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary relied upon other relevant stakeholders’ input in his Cabinet’s request to declare the minerals as strategic.

This is after the Cabinet in 2023 declared the radioactive minerals uranium, thorium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, terbium, tin, lithium, severity, coltan, chromite, niobium, rare earth, and copper as strategic minerals.

“The Lands Committee should provide details on the advisory by the Mineral Rights Board and the Director of Mines on the declaration of the 14 minerals as strategic, including an assessment of the legal standing of the advisory by the Mineral Rights Board, which did not have a chairperson appointed by the President at the time,” Oketch said.

The first-time lawmaker wants the committee to provide details of the alternative livelihood options and other support mechanisms the government has provided to miners adversely affected by the declaration of the 14 minerals as strategic.

Mining police

“What are the measures put in place to protect artisanal and small-scale miners from harassment by officers in the Mining Police Unit? What is the reporting mechanism for such a statement?” he posed.

In addition, he wants details regarding the formation of the Mining Police Unit to help curb illegal mining, smuggling and money laundering within the sector.

Oketch further wants the ministry to disclose the number of cases handled by the unit so far, including details on the quantity of illegally mined minerals recovered and the status of prosecution of the responsible individuals.

The senator argued that in October 2023, the Cabinet vacated the prohibition on mining using traditional and customary means.

However, little progress has been observed in onboarding artisanal and small-scale miners into the mainstream mining sector in Kenya.

“What is the number and identities of artisanal and small-scale miners granted mining permits in each county since the Cabinet decision to vacate the prohibitions on artisanal mining?” Oketch asked.

While supporting the statement, Taita Taveta’s Johnes Mwaruma charged that in his county, the people who deal with artisanal mining, especially of Tsavorite, are worried because police officers might harass them, adding that the National Mining Corporation (NAMICO) of Kenya cannot do mining in the whole of Kenya.

“We have always raised concerns on the rationale and justification of classifying some minerals as strategic minerals, which should only be mined by the National Mining Corporation (NAMICO). We have asked about the rationale, and have also asked if there has been adequate stakeholder involvement in classifying these minerals,” Mwaruma said, wondering why the data that has been collected by the aerial survey on minerals in Kenya is there but has not been publicised.  

Beatrice Ogola (nominated) questioned why it is easy to know where the natural resources, such as wild animals and forests, are, but the ministry does not want to make public the inventory of minerals.

Danson Mungatana (Tana River) said that an aerial geophysical survey was done, which identified 970 mineral occurrences in Kenya.

According to Mungatana, the Ministry of Mining and Blue Economy released a document saying they spent Ksh7 billion ($65 million) to carry out aerial geophysical surveys between the years 2019 and 2022.

Illegal trade

Godfrey Osotsi (Vihiga) called on the House to look into the status of artisanal mining in the counties, adding that there are unscrupulous foreigners who have invaded the villages, especially in Western Kenya.

“We have Chinese, Indians, Nigerians and many other foreigners in the name of mining gold. Many children have left school because they are busy sieving soil and looking for gold. Women have left their homes searching for gold? What happens to this gold when they mine it? No one knows where it goes,” Osotsi charged while insisting that ministry officials, police and county governments know all the companies operating the illegal trade.

Esther Okenyuri (nominated) urged the Lands committee to go deeper and reveal what the body that has been conducting the geological survey looks at for them to term certain minerals strategically.

“For a long time, I have been thinking that soapstone and whatever surrounds it from Kisii is strategic enough to convince the Ministry or Government to support that as an economic activity,” Okenyuri said.