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{
    "id": 1424479,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1424479/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 227,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Salim Mvurya",
    "speaker_title": "The Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Previously we have had a very big challenge on staffing and we divided the country into 19 regions, but we did not have staff on the ground. Right now, we are employing 368 new staff. We have done 167 and next month we are doing the final batch. That is the first point. Secondly, we have artisanal mining committees across the country. We have now gazetted 24. These are responsible for making sure that they look at the issues of licensing and compliance at that level. To make sure there is clarity on issues of mining once we post the new staff, then we also attach them to the respective county Government and the County National Coordination officers so that they can also bring to speed on issues of mining in those regions. The Principal Secretary has been leading a team in most of the regions to training of artisanal mining committees and other institutions such as the cooperatives to make sure that they are up to speed with issues of law. Also, during the application process, we have been very open and very emphatic on issues of consent. Consent given by landowners and communities has also to be confirmed by the local county leadership so that then communities cannot be exploited. On matters of handling the risk issues, environment, and many others, we have developed mining and safety regulations that guide the mining operations on the ground. More importantly, every applicant who is doing mining also has to submit an environmental management plan, which we strictly follow to make sure they rehabilitate the areas where mining has taken place. I also understand the hon. Senator that because of a previous history there are open mines in many areas. I assure you that with the regulations and enforcement, all investors will rehabilitate and regenerate all the mining areas as a post-mining activity. That is what we want to emphasize. As we move on with the post-mining for example, in Kwale County, we have a post-mining team that is looking at all the issues of the environment and all those related to post-mining use of the land. I also confirm what the hon. Senator has said. It is true in some counties; people might not be aware of the existence of certain minerals. That is why we have sent our teams for ground truthing. The good thing about West Pokot County is that it is part of the six counties where Coltan has been confirmed areas like Alale in West Pokot County, Kiritiri, in Embu County, Kora Wells, in Tana River County, Loima, Turkana County, and in Nachola area in Samburu County. So, West Pokot County is one of the areas we are very keen on making sure that you can realize the inspiration of the county economy through the discovery of coltan in that area. So, we would be working together with the leadership and everybody to ensure that there is a benefit to the minerals in that County. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I humbly submit."
}