Kenya Power Intensifies Fight Against Vandalism in Coastal RegionKenya to Allow Artisanal Mining in National Parks with New Framework

MOMBASA – Kenya Power is intensifying its efforts to combat the vandalism of its infrastructure and theft of equipment in the coastal region, collaborating closely with security agencies and local administrative officers. The utility’s crackdown aims to safeguard vital power assets and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to its customers.

According to Kenya News Agency, Kenya Power’s Manager for the Coast region, the company is confronting significant challenges due to the deliberate destruction and theft of its infrastructure, particularly in Mombasa, Kwale, and Kilifi counties. These criminal activities not only result in power outages but also impose substantial financial and reputational damages on the utility.

During a forum held at Pride Inn Hotel for journalists in Kwale County, Marete detailed the company’s proactive measures, including heightened surveillance and partnership with security forces, to tackle the escalating problem of vandalism. He highlighted the detrimental effects of such activities on the regional power distribution network, emphasizing the resultant inconvenience to customers and broader economic implications.

The regional official denounced the rampant vandalism linked to the illicit scrap metal trade, stressing the necessity of a collective effort to curb these offenses. He underscored the importance of community and stakeholder collaboration in protecting power installations, which are crucial for maintaining the region’s economic vitality and production capacity.

Marete also addressed the inadvertent impact of infrastructure development, calling on road agencies like the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), and Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) to coordinate with Kenya Power during road construction and upgrades. Such collaboration is vital to prevent the accidental damage to electricity poles, which can cause further service disruptions.

Kenya Power remains committed to its mission of delivering reliable electricity services, despite the hurdles posed by infrastructure vandalism and theft. The utility’s determined stance against these crimes reflects its dedication to ensuring a stable and efficient power supply for both residential and industrial customers in the coastal region.

NAIROBI – The Kenyan government is on the verge of completing a landmark framework that will enable artisanal miners to legally access and mine within national parks, a move aimed at integrating economic growth with environmental conservation. The Principal Secretary for the State Department for Mining, Elijah Mwangi, announced that the document, initiated following a presidential directive, is in its final stages of preparation and will soon be presented for public input.

According to Kenya News Agency, the initiative represents a significant policy shift designed to support the artisanal mining community, historically excluded from exploiting resources within protected areas. This framework, developed by experts from mining, wildlife, and forestry sectors, is expected to set clear guidelines for sustainable mining practices in conservation zones, addressing a longstanding petition from artisanal miners.

During a discussion with legislators from Taita-Taveta County, Mwangi outlined the importance of this framework, emphasizing its potential to transform the artisanal mining sector into a more substantial contributor to the national economy while ensuring environmental stewardship. The document is seen as a critical step in reconciling the interests of conservation and local economic development, particularly in regions adjacent to mineral-rich national parks.

David Zowe, chairperson of the Taita-Taveta Artisanal Miners’ Association, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, highlighting the dual benefits of providing livelihood opportunities for local communities and reducing illegal and unsafe mining activities within Tsavo National Park. He pointed out that controlled mining access would mitigate the risks faced by local miners and foster a more positive perception of the park among neighboring communities.

The planned framework addresses several complex issues, including the demarcation of specific mining zones within parks, protocols for safe and responsible access, and strategies for environmental rehabilitation post-mining. It underscores the necessity of balancing resource extraction with conservation principles, reflecting broader discussions on sustainable development.

Moreover, the framework proposes the establishment of artisanal miners’ cooperatives, formalizing the sector and providing a structured mechanism for miners to engage with protected areas responsibly. With over 200 cooperatives already formed nationwide, this approach aims to ensure that mining activities within national parks are regulated, monitored, and contribute positively to both community welfare and environmental conservation.