Mining and Blue Economy CS Hassan Joho has warned miners against absconding their responsibility of paying royalties.

According to Joho, some miners in the country are taking  advantage of what he said is a loophole in the law to sale off the minerals and use the proceeds to invest before coming back years later to pay the royalties.

“We have no business entertaining someone who does not want to pay the rightful dues for the Kenyan people and the Kenyan government." said Joho.

Adding “The government and the people of Kenya are not in the business of waiting, money has value,” 

Speaking in Taita Taveta during a stakeholders meeting with leaders and community representatives of Kishushe Cooperative Ranch, Joho said he will be engaging Mps for a change of laws.

" We will make a new law where once you are paid, you pay the county, pay the community and pay the government there and then,” he said.

Joho directed all mining officials in the country to ensure that there is no illegal mining activity in their respective areas.

"Our officers from the different law enforcement agencies. How do you allow illegal mining to take place in areas you are manning. So county commissioner, we start here in Taita Taveta, anyone engaging in illegal mining in this area, I am giving a directive, you take responsibility,"