Marsabit County Woman Representative Naomi Jillo Waqo has commended the national government for unveiling a comprehensive roadmap to reopen the Hillo mining fields in Moyale Constituency.
The breakthrough follows a high-level consultative meeting between Hon. Jillo, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, and representatives of Marsabit’s artisanal miners.
The discussions focused on overcoming the deep-seated challenges facing local miners and unlocking the immense economic potential of the Hillo area to create sustainable jobs and improve regional livelihoods.
Following the consultative meeting, CS Murkomen pledged a series of immediate administrative and security interventions aimed at safely reviving the region’s economy. The Interior CS committed to personally touring the Hillo mining site to assess ground operations and engage local stakeholders directly.
Furthermore, the national government will initiate the official process to re-gazet and safely reopen the Hillo mining fields for regulated operations. To sustain these gains, streamline administration, and reinforce security networks along the border region, the CS also announced plans to elevate Bori to a full sub-county status, bringing essential government services closer to the residents. Hon. Jillo lauded the move, noting that these commitments represent a critical step toward empowering artisanal miners, improving public service delivery, and driving long-term economic growth in Marsabit County.
This administrative shift coincides with ongoing public participation forums led by the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs across Marsabit County to collect views on three draft Mining Bills while educating residents on existing regulations.
The proposed legislation focuses heavily on three priority pillars: mineral value addition, occupational health and safety, and the regulated use of explosives. At a sensitization workshop held in Marsabit Town, ministry officials guided local miners through the legal procedures required to acquire operational licenses ahead of the planned reopening.
Francis Mutisya, the Director of Human Resource Management and Development in the State Department for Mining, led the forum and emphasized that the state’s priority is to increase the value of minerals processed within Kenya. He stated that the primary objective is to ensure both the nation and host communities benefit equitably through structured revenue sharing, job creation, and the sustainable growth of the local mining sector.
