The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has secured conviction of seven Chinese nationals over illegal mining in West Pokot.
The seven; Wang Youping, Xian Zhenming, He Zhouming, Wang Xiaodong, Zhao Zhenwei, Guan Qiang, and Deng Chun – were arrested on 12th February, 2025 during a joint operation by the Mining Investigations Unit and officials from the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs.
The team discovered ongoing unlicensed mining activities, recovered several machines and vehicles used at the site, and confirmed that the accused lacked valid licences.
They also established that two of the accused – Xian Zhenming and Deng Chun – were in the country without work permits or alien registration, with mineral samples from the site testing positive for quartz.
According to the DPP, through Counsel Mokaya Stephen and Gregory Suter, they secured the conviction of the seven at the Kapenguria Law Courts for unauthorized mining along the Wei-Wei River in Sigor, Pokot Central Sub-County.
On 17th April 2025, all the seven pleaded guilty before Principal Magistrate Hon. Nelly Kenei. Each was fined Ksh 3,000,000 for illegal mining, and KSh 400,000 for working without permits, or serve a year in prison for each offence.
Additionally, Xian and Deng were fined KSh 200,000 for unlawful presence or serve six months in default.
They will be deported back to China upon completion of their sentences with all sentences running consecutively.
