The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), represented by Counsel Mokaya Stephen and Gregory Suter, has secured the conviction of seven Chinese nationals at the Kapenguria Law Courts for engaging in illegal mining activities along the Wei-Wei River in Sigor, Pokot Central Sub-County.
The convicted individuals — Wang Youping, Xian Zhenming, He Zhouming, Wang Xiaodong, Zhao Zhenwei, Guan Qiang, and Deng Chun — were apprehended on February 12, 2025, during a coordinated operation conducted by the Mining Investigations Unit in collaboration with officials from the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs.
Investigations revealed that the group was conducting unauthorized mining operations. Several machines and vehicles used in the illegal activity were seized, and authorities confirmed that none of the accused possessed valid mining licences.
Further inquiries established that two of the individuals — Xian Zhenming and Deng Chun — were residing in Kenya without valid work permits or alien registration. Mineral samples collected from the site tested positive for quartz.
On April 17, 2025, all seven defendants pleaded guilty before Principal Magistrate Hon. Nelly Kenei. Each was fined KSh 3,000,000 for illegal mining and an additional KSh 400,000 for working without the required permits. In default, they face one year of imprisonment for each offence.
Additionally, Xian Zhenming and Deng Chun were fined KSh 200,000 each for unlawful presence in the country, with a six-month custodial sentence as an alternative.
Upon completion of their respective sentences, all seven individuals will be repatriated. The court directed that the sentences be served consecutively.
