State opens mining office in West Pokot to curb fatalities, illegal activity

Pokot and Turkana miners work side by side at a gold pit in Kambi Karaya, West Pokot. June 6, 2025. [File Courtesy]

The government has established a mining office in Kapenguria, West Pokot County, to regulate the growing artisanal mining activities and improve access to government services, including licensing, compliance enforcement, and safety monitoring.

The new office, launched by the State Department for Mining, aims to decentralise services that were previously accessible only in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.

This move is expected to curb illegal mining, enhance compliance with the Mining Act, and ensure both the county government and local communities benefit from the region’s mineral wealth.

Speaking during the inauguration at the County Commissioner’s office, Secretary for Administration in the State Department for Mining, David Onyancha, said the office would serve as a one-stop center for all mining-related services in the county.

“The establishment of this office is a deliberate government effort to ensure quick and legal access to mining services, particularly for artisanal miners who are often viewed as illegal but play a key role in the local and national economy,” said Mr. Onyancha.

He emphasised that the Mining Act stipulates that 20 percent of the revenue from mining activities goes to the host county, while 10 per cent is allocated directly to the local community.

“This revenue-sharing model ensures that residents benefit directly from the natural resources around them,” he noted.

West Pokot is increasingly emerging as a mineral-rich region, with deposits of gold, limestone, and other minerals. However, a lack of regulation has led to a surge in illegal mining activities and accidents. In the past three months alone, seven people have died in mining-related incidents in the county.

“Our goal is to ensure safety and sustainability. Through proper licensing and compliance, the government will curb risks and formalise operations,” Onyancha stated.

He also condoled with families affected by a recent gold mining tragedy in Turkwel area, where four people died and five others were injured on Saturday.

“We are committed to preventing such losses through strict enforcement of safety protocols,” he added.

Onyancha was accompanied by senior officials, including Gregory Kituku, Director in charge of Licensing, Compliance and Enforcement, who said a crackdown on illegal mining operations would begin immediately.

“We have received reports of seven fatalities in just three months. That is unacceptable. We will work closely with the County Security Committee to issue directives that prioritise safety,” Kituku said.

The department has deployed the Mining Police Unit, Mining Investigations Unit, and Licensing and Compliance teams to monitor mining sites and sensitise the public.

Deputy County Commissioner for West Pokot Sub-County, Mr Wycliffe Munanda, confirmed that the government has already held security meetings to enhance coordination in enforcing mining laws.

“These new offices will immensely help the region by bringing services closer to the people,” said Munanda.

The visiting team toured several mining hotspots, including Turkwel, Kambi Karaya, and Lami Nyeusi, where they met local miners and community leaders to raise awareness on safety and licensing requirements.

The new mining office is seen as a critical step in formalizing operations, reducing accidents, and ensuring that West Pokot’s mineral wealth benefits its residents.