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{
    "id": 1287158,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1287158/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 383,
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "as a very noble step to further anchor devolution in our country and give an opportunity to residents in counties to interact with their Senators. This is a very good initiative. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, coming back to the Question raised by Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, I agree with you that I have a lot to say about mining. However, I will limit my statement to the question that has been asked. For part (a) of that question, I would wish to respond as follows- Currently, all gold mining activities within Kakamega County are carried out by artisanal miners who operate informally as they have not been issued with artisanal mining permits as contemplated under Section 95 of the Mining Act, 2016. This is because of the moratorium that had been imposed in December, 2019 against issuance of licenses and permits. The Ministry has put measures in place to start granting artisanal miners permits upon lifting of the current moratorium on issuance of mining rights. These measures include the gazettement of the Kakamega County Artisanal Mining Committee as per Section 94 of the Mining Act, 2016. The Committee is comprised of members from artisanal mining in the county. Additionally, all other operators within the county, hold prospecting licenses with a few who have made applications for granting of mining licenses over the last few years. The same have not been processed due to the prevailing moratorium on issuance of mineral rights. On page 10, there is a table showing a list of companies who have been granted licences to prospect and others whose applications are hanging in our system. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, regarding part b of that Question, the Minister of Mining initiated the process of identifying an investor for the proposed gold refinery in Ikolomani, Kakamega County in 2021. However, before this process could be completed, the Ministry was advised that the said process was unnecessary as it did not meet the threshold prescribed under Section 121 of the Public Procurement and Disposal Act, 2015. Therefore, the process was terminated, and the tenderers were notified. After that process, there was an effort by the county government, but we have realised that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that had been done, did not mention the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs and the responsibilities of the National Government. Further, there is no record showing the process used to identify the said investor by the County, had been properly documented. On 4th July, 2022, Kakamega County Government entered into an MoU with a private company, Ms Huno Kenya Company Limited. The MoU was for cooperation and establishment of the proposed gold processing plant in Ikolomani Constituency. The land in which the proposed plant would be established was provided by Kakamega County Government and registered in the name of the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs. It was held in trust for the Ministry by the Principal Secretary (PS), National Treasury. This is in line with the mandate of the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs in as far as management of mining and mineral resources is concerned."
}