The government has launched a crackdown on illegal gold miners accused of contaminating the River Yala with dangerous chemicals used during gold processing.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

This was confirmed by the Water Resources Authority (WRA) Deputy Director of Regional Coordination, James Nyang’eso, during an inspection in Kakamega County on August 24.

While at it, he noted that most operators along the river have never been licensed by any regulatory body, including WRA, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the county government, or the Ministry of Mining.

“Most of these mining activities are being done without any approval from regulatory authorities, including WRA, NEMA, the county government, or the Mining Department. Most of these companies are not in our database, making their operations illegal,” Nyang’eso stated.

📌 What You Need to Know

WRA's Assistant Director for Water Quality and Pollution Control Mutahi Jahara reiterated the same sentiments and explained that processing plants near the river rely heavily on mercury and cyanide.

He added that whenever rain falls, these lethal chemicals wash directly into the river system that surrounding communities depend on for survival.

“These plants near River Yala that rely heavily on mercury and cyanide are going to be a problem for our water sources if not controlled. Whenever it rains, these chemicals are washed down into our water bodies, our rivers, and into our communities,” Mutahi stated.

In this regard, WRA now intends to pursue criminal charges against the offenders under Section 93(3) of the Water Resources Regulations, which mandates WRA to acknowledge a written request to undertake a restricted or proscribed activity on a riparian reserve within seven days.

It also requires the Authority to respond in writing within thirty days or a longer justified period, stating its decision.

WRA officials say enforcement will continue relentlessly until every parcel of degraded riparian land is fully rehabilitated by the responsible parties.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke