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The government has issued a stern warning to cement producers, accusing them of fueling illegal mining activities by purchasing materials from unlicensed sources. Cabinet Secretary Hassan Ali Joho reprimanded industry players during a meeting with cement manufacturers and representatives from the Kenya Association of Manufacturers and the Kenya Chamber of Mines.
Joho criticized the cement producers for effectively enabling illegal mining operations by providing a market for minerals extracted by unauthorized entities. He emphasized that these “faceless entities” operate outside the law, evading taxes and royalties while offering no benefit to the communities where the minerals are extracted.
“We need your support in fighting against illegal mining operations,” Joho stated, “but sadly some of you provide markets for minerals extracted illegally… This must stop.”
Over the past three years, the government has shut down 3,000 unlicensed mines. Joho highlighted gypsum as a particularly problematic material, noting its use in cement manufacturing despite a lack of licensed gypsum miners in Kenya.
“You have been buying and using gypsum in cement manufacturing,” he pointed out, “yet there is no record of anyone licensed to mine gypsum in Kenya. There are no records on production, payment of taxes and royalties, or community programs undertaken by any gypsum dealer because they are doing it illegally.”
The government’s crackdown signals a renewed commitment to tackling illegal mining and ensuring that natural resources are exploited responsibly and legally. The message to cement producers is clear: they must take responsibility for their supply chains and cease purchasing materials from unauthorized sources.
