State to withdraw mineral dealers’ permits in crackdown

Mining Cabinet Secretary Dan Kazungu (right) during an inspection tour of gemstones dealer Nagin Pattni’s outlet in Nairobi last year. Only 20 per cent of mineral dealers in the country are licensed. [Pius Cheruiyot, Standard]

The Government plans to withdraw all mineral trading licences as it moves to weed out illegal operators and regain control of the multi-billion-shilling industry.

Mining Cabinet Secretary Dan Kazungu told The Standard yesterday all dealers would be vetted afresh in a nationwide crackdown set to begin as early as next week.