PRESS RELEASE– NAIROBI, 22 July 2026. Following a directive by H.E. President Dr. William Samoei Ruto, the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Hon. Hassan Ali Joho, today convened and chaired a high-level consultative meeting to fast-track the reopening of the Hillo Gold Mines in Marsabit County.
The meeting was attended by the leadership of Marsabit County led by the Governor H.E. Mohamed Ali, who was accompanied by Members of Parliament Hon. Prof. Guyo Waqo Jaldesa (Moyale), Hon. Dido Rasso, Hon. Wario Adhe and Senator Hon. Mohamed Chute as well as Marsabit County Commissioner Mr. Stanley Kamande.
The meeting established a multi-agency team which was given seven working days, effective from 23 July 2026, to undertake a comprehensive field assessment and advise the Cabinet Secretary on a structured reopening of the Hillo gold mines and the resumption of mining activities in a safe, orderly and sustainable manner, in strict compliance with the Mining Act, 2016.
The Cabinet Secretary also directed an intensified nationwide crackdown on illegal mining activities.
The team’s mandate includes reconfirming and verifying the demarcated artisanal mining areas, verifying and confirming registered mining co-operatives in readiness for the issuance of artisanal mining permits, and advising on the requisite documentation and regulatory requirements for the issuance of the permits.
The Cabinet Secretary also directed an intensified nationwide crackdown on illegal mining activities.
He urged artisanal and small-scale miners to comply fully with the provisions of the Mining Act, 2016, emphasizing that adherence to the law is essential to safeguarding lives, protecting the environment and promoting responsible mineral resource development.
CS Joho warned that those found engaging in illegal mining activities or otherwise contravening the law would face appropriate legal action.
Commenting on the mining incident in Lolgorian, Narok County, where five people are feared to have lost their lives following the collapse of a mining tunnel, the Cabinet Secretary expressed the Government’s condolences to the affected families. He stated that the Government is following key leads and will ensure that any individuals found to have endangered the lives of others through negligence or unlawful activities are held accountable in accordance with the law.
The Broader Continental Context
Kenya’s actions reflect a wider trend across Africa.
Governments are increasingly seeking to formalise artisanal mining while reducing illegal operations. The objective is not simply stronger enforcement; It is greater economic inclusion.
Formal artisanal mining contributes to:
- National mineral production.
- Rural employment.
- Tax revenues.
- Local enterprise development.
- Responsible supply chains.
Given growing global demand for responsibly sourced minerals, formalisation also enhances Africa’s competitiveness within international markets. Buyers increasingly require traceability, ESG compliance and transparent sourcing. Informal mining struggles to meet these expectations.
A Governance Model Worth Watching
If successfully implemented, the Hillo reopening could provide valuable lessons for other African mining jurisdictions. Rather than viewing artisanal mining and regulation as opposing forces, Kenya is attempting to integrate them.
That balance is essential. Excessive enforcement risks driving mining further underground.
Insufficient regulation undermines safety, environmental protection and investor confidence. The challenge lies in building governance systems that encourage compliance while preserving livelihoods.
This is where many African mining reforms will ultimately be judged.
The AFNIS Perspective
The reopening of Hillo Gold Mines is not fundamentally about one mining district in northern Kenya. It is about the future of artisanal mining governance across Africa.
As governments seek to unlock greater value from their mineral wealth, formalisation will become just as important as exploration. The countries that succeed will not necessarily be those with the richest deposits.
They will be those capable of creating regulatory environments where governments, investors, communities and miners operate within a shared framework of trust, transparency and accountability.
Kenya’s latest reforms suggest an important recognition. Mining policy is no longer simply about extracting minerals. It is increasingly about governing ecosystems.
If Hillo becomes a model for responsible artisanal mining, its significance will extend far beyond Marsabit County. It will demonstrate that Africa’s mining future depends not only on discovering new resources, but on building institutions capable of developing them responsibly.