New rules to govern mining activities

Mining Principal Secretary John Omenge (center) and other Ministry officials in a past press briefing in April 2018. [File, Standard]

The Government has issued new rules to help minimise accidents in quarries and mines.

 Mining Principal Secretary John Omenge said only licensed miners would be allowed to operate to avert disasters in the future.

Several tragedies have been reported in southern Nyanza mines, with the latest being the deaths of two people at a quarry in Kisii.

Mr Omenge, who was speaking when he visited the site of the accident on Monday, said artisan mining activities were not safe.

He announced the temporary closure of the mining site.

He said there would be mining committees with representatives from the national and county governments and the business community.