The government of Kenya through the Ministry of Interior has banned artisanal mining sites in Migori County over failure to meet the set safety standards.

In a statement on Monday March 25, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki noted that the mining sites pose grave public safety risks that may cause deaths when mine shafts cave in.

Kindiki issued the directive, a week after two Kenyans died in one of mining sites in Nyatike, while four others died two months ago at Sango.

“To ensure regularised artisanal mining that meets public safety and environmental standards, the Government has banned all artisanal mining activities as well as unlicensed commercial mining. 

“The Migori County Security and Intelligence Committee (CSIC) is directed to enforce this directive immediately,” Kindiki noted in a statement posted on X. 

The Interior CS issued the directive after chairing a security review meeting with the CSIC in Migori town. 

He appreciated the CSIC for good progress on the ongoing nationwide enforcement program against illicit alcohol, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. 

Since the war against drugs was launched in the country recently, Kindiki noted that, 3000 rolls of bhang have been seized; 106 suspects arrested and arraigned; 378 raids on illicit alcohol conducted; 7 chemist’s and 5 agrovets closed.