The government has halted all mining activities in Migori County, and issued notices to machine and artisanal miners to get legal licences.

In a joint crackdown conducted by Regional Mining Director Joseph Boiwo and Migori County Commissioner David Gitonga,  all miners with expired licenses and those without were ordered to secure new ones and immediately shut down leaching processes.

The commissioner claimed that even though the law mandates that the constitution govern all mining operations, most miners still engage in illicit activity.

According to Gitonga, the only way for the government to make money and protect the miners from cartel exploitation is through regulation.

He added that a raid on unlawful mining should be conducted now to ensure compliance, as the nation is at peace and businesses are operating normally.

A week ago, the government halted the extraction of gold deposits at the Komire barrow site, where the Kisii-Isebania motorway is being built.

The commissioner claimed that even though the law mandates that the constitution govern all mining operations, most miners still engage in illicit activity.

According to Gitonga, the only way for the government to make money and protect the miners from cartel exploitation is through regulation.

He added that a raid on unlawful mining should be conducted now to ensure compliance, as the nation is at peace and businesses are operating normally.

A week ago, the government halted the extraction of gold deposits at the Komire barrow site, where the Kisii-Isebania motorway is being built.