Seven Chinese nationals have been convicted by the Kapenguria Law Courts for engaging in illegal mining operations along the Wei-Wei River in Sigor, located in West Pokot’s Pokot Central Sub-County. The arrests followed a February 12, 2025, crackdown by officers from the Mining Investigations Unit and the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs. This operation aimed to eliminate unlicensed mining activities that pose environmental and legal concerns in the region.
The enforcement team raided the site and found the seven individuals—Wang Youping, Xian Zhenming, He Zhouming, Wang Xiadodong, Zhao Zhenewei, Guan Qiang, and Deng Chun—engaged in mining without authorization. The operation uncovered heavy machinery at the scene, including six lorries, two excavators, bulldozers, a caterpillar, generators, and a water boozer, indicating a large-scale mining activity conducted in blatant disregard of Kenyan mining laws.
Investigations revealed that the group had entered Kenya and commenced mining without obtaining licenses or permits from the relevant ministry. Notably, two of the suspects, Xian Zhenming and Deng Chun, were found to be unlawfully present in the country, lacking both work permits and alien registration certificates. Samples taken from the site were later confirmed to be Quartz, adding to the seriousness of the offense.
The suspects appeared before Principal Magistrate Court No. 2 at the Kapenguria Law Courts on April 17, 2025, where they all pleaded guilty to the charges against them. They were each fined Sh3,000,000 for unauthorized mining, with a one-year prison term as the default sentence. An additional fine of Sh400,000 was imposed for working without valid permits, also carrying a one-year default prison term.
Further penalties were issued to Xian Zhenming and Deng Chun for their unlawful presence in Kenya, each receiving a fine of Sh200,000 or six months’ imprisonment. The court also ordered their repatriation to China upon completion of their sentences or payment of fines. All sentences are to run consecutively, marking a stern stance by the judiciary against illegal mining and immigration violations.
Ends///
