The government has taken swift action in Kilifi County, revoking the licenses of 15 mining firms operating in the Jaribuni and Kalia Ng’ombe Kokotoni areas. The decision, announced by Mining, Fisheries, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary (CS) Hassan Joho, follows a series of violations by the firms, including the use of mining permits instead of the legally required mining licenses.
During his visit to the quarries in Jaribuni and Kokotoni, Joho highlighted that mining permits had been misused by several firms to bypass regulations, including the necessary involvement of the host community in operations. “Mining licenses require the participation of the local community, and these companies have been circumventing this by relying on mining permits,” Joho said.
The revocation of the licenses affects all firms in the region, except Victoria Engineering. This company had agreed to contribute to the local community by tarmacking a section of the nine-kilometer Jaribuni-Dzitsoni road, which leads to the quarries. As a result, Victoria Engineering is allowed to continue its operations, provided they adhere to the outlined regulations.
Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro emphasized that only law-compliant quarry operators would be allowed to conduct business in the county. “We have been working closely with CS Joho, and only those who respect the law will be allowed to operate,” Mung’aro stated. He further revealed that the ongoing quarry activities had caused significant health and infrastructure damage in the area, with many homes cracking due to blasts from the quarries.
The situation is particularly dire in Kalia Ng’ombe and Kokotoni, where residents have long complained about the environmental and health hazards posed by the quarry operations. Many homes have developed cracks due to the blasts, and dust from the mining has caused respiratory problems for the local population. Local leaders have called for compensation from the mining firms, with only Mombasa Cement showing compliance with the regulations.
As the government moves to enforce the law, it has made it clear that mining firms must respect both environmental and community welfare to continue their operations in Kilifi.
