Seven Chinese nationals have been convicted by the Kapenguria Law Courts for engaging in illegal mining operations along the Wei-Wei River in Sigor, Pokot Central Sub-County.
The convicts—identified as Wang Youping, Xian Zhenming, He Zhouming, Wang Xiadodong, Zhao Zhenewei, Guan Qiang, and Deng Chun—were arrested on February 12, 2025, during a multi-agency operation led by officers from the Mining Investigations Unit and the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs.
According to authorities, the suspects were found conducting mining activities without licenses or any official documentation. Equipment seized at the site included six lorries, a water boozer, two excavators, two bulldozers, a caterpillar, two high-powered generators, and a container storing mining tools.
Samples collected from the scene and tested at the Government Mining Laboratory confirmed the extracted material was Quartz.
The case moved swiftly through the judicial system, with all seven suspects appearing before Principal Magistrate Court No. 2 in Kapenguria on April 17. They pleaded guilty and were convicted on their own admissions.
Each was fined Sh3 million for conducting unauthorized mining, with a default sentence of one year in prison. Additionally, they were each fined Sh400,000 for working in Kenya without valid permits, or serve an extra year in jail if they fail to pay.
Two of the accused, Xian Zhenming and Deng Chun, faced additional charges for being unlawfully present in the country. They were each fined Sh200,000 or sentenced to six months in prison by default. Upon serving their sentences or paying the fines, the court ordered their deportation to China.
All sentences are to run consecutively, sending a strong warning to foreign nationals and companies engaging in unregulated mining activities in Kenya.
The Ministry of Mining reiterated its commitment to enforcing the law and protecting the country’s natural resources from exploitation.
“This is a clear message that illegal mining will not be tolerated,” a ministry spokesperson said.
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