Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho has urged Kenyans to invest in the mining sector to capitalize on the lucrative opportunities the industry offers. Speaking before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry, and Mining, Joho highlighted that the sector is primarily dominated by foreign investors who are reaping significant returns on their investments (ROI).
He cited Indonesia and China as examples where investors have amassed billions from mining. Both countries are major players in the global mining industry, with Indonesia possessing some of the world’s largest mineral reserves and China leading in mineral production, generating over Ksh. 28 trillion from metallic and coal production.
Joho pointed out that one key strategy foreign investors use is spreading their risk across critical mineral markets, thus diversifying their portfolios. He called on MPs to support his initiative to establish a policy framework that would guide the sector.
To streamline the industry, Joho proposed enforcing the payment of royalties to foreigners extracting minerals from Kenya. “The issue of royalties to the affected communities is important here. We have people from outside this country who have been extracting our minerals for over 10 years without paying anything to the communities. We now want this done at the point of loading the cargo,” he stated.
“Through such rules, many young Kenyans will get the opportunity to grow through the sector,” he added. Joho also announced plans for his Ministry to deploy experts at every border point, accompanied by police officers, to monitor activities and enhance compliance within the sector. Additionally, he suggested that the Committee consider visiting Tanzania to assess their achievements in the industry.
