Ruto Warns 1400 Companies Over Expired Licences
Ruto directed the companies to acquire the necessary documentation before continuing with their operations.
Marvin Chege 
President William Ruto has warned mining companies which have been conducting their businesses without renewing their licences.
Speaking on Friday, October 27 during the launch of the Gemstone Value Addition and Marketing Centre in Voi, Taita-Taveta County, Ruto revealed that 1,400 mining companies have been conducting their day-to-day activities under expired operating licences.
Using his famous mambo ni matatu phrase, Ruto directed the companies to acquire the necessary documentation before continuing with their operations.
"We have people who have licences, and they have never renewed them for 10/20 years. We have 1400 who are doing that, against the law.
President William Ruto speaking at a church service in Riruta, Nairobi on October 22, 2023. /PCS
"We have given them time to renew their licences and continue with their businesses, and if they do not do so, mambo ni matatu," he cautioned.
It is worth noting that those companies were shut down on Wednesday, October 4, among 3,000 such companies which included illegal miners and mineral dealers after a four-year audit.
Mining Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya announced their closure following the lifting of a moratorium imposed in 2019 to allow the mapping of the country's mineral resources.
"During the moratorium, the government undertook significant reforms that have continued to inspire the Mining Sector and make mining viable, and economical and achieve aspirations of contributing 10% to GDP by 2030," Mvurya announced during the lifting of the ban.
The Cabinet had a day before recommended the crackdown on illegal mining operations in Kenya, prompting the Ministry of Mining to shut down the 3,000 companies.
"The (cabinet) meeting declared mineral smuggling as an economic crime and approved the establishment of a special unit dedicated to compliance and enforcement against illegal mining and mineral smuggling," a dispatch from the cabinet read in part.
Meanwhile, Ruto fired a warning shot at an individual he identified as Samruda, a mining businessman who owes Ksh30 million to residents of Taita Taveta.
According to the Head of State, Samruda had gone over four years without paying royalties to the residents and only managed to pay Ksh10 million, leaving a significant amount yet to be paid.
He, therefore, urged the tycoon's friends, associates and acquaintances to encourage him to clear the debt. Despite not vowing consequences against him, Ruto warned that he would not entertain businessmen taking advantage of the innocence of Kenyans to reap big rewards in terms of millions.
"There is somebody called Samruda, and I hear he has Ksh30 million belonging to Kenyans. He has only brought Ksh10 million. I want his friends and brothers to go and tell him to immediately bring the money belonging to the people of Taita Taveta," Ruto instructed.
"That is money that he should have brought here three years ago. We want everyone to respect the rights of Kenyans."
Mining Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya during vetting by MPs on October 22, 2022. /STANDARD DIGITAL
