Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho has announced that authorities have intercepted five containers loaded with copper at the Port of Mombasa, which had been falsely declared.
In a statement on Tuesday, Joho revealed that the containers, which were transported from Nairobi, were destined for China. He credited the successful operation to the revamped Mining Investigative Unit.
“I am encouraged that the strengthened Mining Investigative Unit has successfully seized five containers at the Port of Mombasa, which had incorrect declarations regarding their contents. Investigations have confirmed that the cargo contained copper, transported by road from Nairobi to Mombasa, and was intended for export to China,” he stated.
The CS emphasized that the government has intensified efforts to combat the illegal trade of Kenya’s mineral resources, adding that the crackdown will continue to expand.
“The ongoing crackdown against illegal mining activities is gaining momentum. We are committed to ensuring that Kenya benefits from its mineral wealth,” he affirmed.
Joho further warned individuals engaged in illegal mining and smuggling, stressing that the law would take its course.
“Copper is a valuable and strategic mineral. Its illegal trade deprives the country of much-needed revenue for development. We are sending a strong message to those involved in these unlawful activities that they will be held accountable,” he warned.
This latest seizure comes just weeks after the CS led an operation targeting an illegal mineral trade network in Nairobi and Athi River. During the raid, authorities confiscated mineral-laden sacks containing iron ore, copper, zinc, and lead, valued at over Sh200 million.
Four suspects—three foreign nationals and a Kenyan—were arrested during the operation.
“These individuals have been evading taxes and robbing Kenya of its rightful revenue. We are determined to put an end to this,” Joho stated during an inspection of the seized minerals, adding that some of the confiscated resources are used in manufacturing car batteries.
Additionally, authorities seized a spectrometer, a device used to detect radioactive minerals.
Joho reiterated that mineral resources belong to Kenyans and should be preserved for future generations.
“When minerals are illegally extracted and smuggled out of the country, they are lost forever. That is why we have set up investigative teams to ensure compliance with the law. We also want to assure those in the mining sector that the government will support them as long as they operate within legal frameworks,” he remarked.
The government recently launched an investigative unit within the mining ministry to curb mineral smuggling and ensure Kenya fully benefits from its natural resources.
