Seven Chinese nationals have been convicted for engaging in illegal mining activities along the Wei-Wei River in Sigor, located in West Pokot’s Pokot Central Sub-County. The convictions follow a coordinated crackdown by law enforcement and mining regulatory officials aimed at halting unlicensed mining operations in the region.
The operation that led to their arrest took place on February 12, 2025. Officers from the Mining Investigations Unit, in collaboration with the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, launched a surprise inspection at a mining site in Sigor. The enforcement team discovered active mining operations being carried out without any legal authorization.
The seven individuals arrested during the raid were identified as Wang Youping, Xian Zhenming, He Zhouming, Wang Xiadodong, Zhao Zhenewei, Guan Qiang, and Deng Chun. At the site, the officers found significant mining machinery and equipment, including six lorries used for transporting rock and soil, a water boozer, two excavators, two bulldozers, a caterpillar, two high-powered generators, and a container being used as a storage unit.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the individuals had entered the country and began mining activities without obtaining the necessary licenses or documentation from the Ministry of Mining. Their actions were in direct violation of Kenyan mining regulations, which require any entity involved in mineral extraction to possess valid permits and follow environmental and operational guidelines.
Further checks revealed that two of the suspects, Xian Zhenming and Deng Chun, were also in the country unlawfully, lacking both work permits and alien registration certificates. This added to the list of offenses the group faced.
Samples collected from the mining site were sent to the Government Mining Laboratory for analysis. The results confirmed the presence of quartz, a valuable mineral, at the site where the illegal mining was taking place.
The case moved swiftly through the legal system. On April 17, 2025, the seven appeared before the Principal Magistrate at Court No. 2 in the Kapenguria Law Courts. All accused pleaded guilty to the charges against them and were convicted based on their own pleas.
For engaging in unauthorized mining, each of the seven was fined Sh3,000,000. In default of payment, they face a custodial sentence of one year. In addition, for working in Kenya without valid permits, each was fined Sh400,000, with a default penalty of another year in prison.
Special attention was given to the immigration violations by Xian Zhenming and Deng Chun. For being unlawfully present in Kenya, both were fined an additional Sh200,000. Should they fail to pay, they will each serve six more months in prison. The court further ordered that upon completion of their respective sentences or payment of all fines, the two will be repatriated to China.
The penalties are to be served consecutively, signaling a firm stance by Kenyan authorities against illegal mining and violations of immigration laws. The case underscores the government’s commitment to regulating the mining sector and protecting natural resources from exploitation by unlicensed entities.
