Seven Chinese nationals convicted for illegal mining in West Pokot

Seven Chinese nationals have been convicted by the Kapenguria Law Courts for engaging in illegal mining operations along the Wei-Wei River in Sigor, Pokot Central Sub-County.

The individuals—Wang Youping, Xian Zhenming, He Zhouming, Wang Xiadodong, Zhao Zhenewei, Guan Qiang, and Deng Chun—were arrested on February 12, 2025, during a joint operation led by officers from the Mining Investigations Unit and officials from the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the enforcement team raided a site where large-scale mining activities were ongoing, despite the absence of valid permits or licenses.

Among the machinery impounded at the scene were six lorries, two excavators, two bulldozers, a caterpillar, a water boozer, two high-powered generators, and a still container used as a makeshift equipment store.

Investigations revealed that the accused had entered Kenya and commenced mining operations without any formal documentation from the relevant government agencies.

Additionally, two of the suspects, Xian Zhenming and Deng Chun, were found to be in the country illegally, lacking both work permits and alien registration certificates.

Mineral samples collected from the site and analyzed at the Government Mining Laboratory confirmed the substance being extracted was quartz.

On April 17, 2025, all seven appeared at the Kapenguria Law Courts, where they each pleaded guilty and were convicted on their own pleas.

Each of the seven was fined Ksh.3 million for engaging in unauthorized mining, with a default sentence of one year in prison.

They were further fined Ksh.400,000 each for working without valid permits. If they fail to pay, an additional year in prison awaits them.

The two individuals found to be unlawfully present in the country, Zhenming and Chun, were also fined Ksh.200,000 or face an extra six months' imprisonment.

The court ordered that they be deported to China after serving their sentences or upon payment of the fines.

All sentences are to run consecutively, meaning those who fail to pay the fines could face multiple years in prison.