Nairobi: The Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs has unveiled the draft Minerals, Mining and Beneficiation Policy 2026, a comprehensive framework aimed at transforming Kenya’s mining sector from its current contribution of about one per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to a projected 10 per cent by 2030.
According to Kenya News Agency, the policy marks a major milestone in the country’s efforts to unlock the full potential of its mineral resources and reposition mining as a key driver of industrialisation, employment creation and export earnings. Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting held at Magharibi Hall in Kakamega, Mines Inspector Philip Kirui said the policy builds on the foundation laid by the Mining Act 2016 but introduces critical reforms to address emerging challenges and opportunities in the sector.
The meeting brought together miners, investors, community representatives and government officials from the State Department for Mining to discuss the draft policy and provide input before its final adoption. The proposed policy, titled Transforming Livelihoods through Sustainable Development and Utilization of Mineral Resources, outlines eight thematic areas that include policy and legal framework, mineral resource endowment, mining and mineral management, mineral value addition and beneficiation, artisanal and small-scale mining, mineral promotion and marketing, sector enablers and sustainability, and emerging cross-cutting issues.
A key feature of the policy is the formalisation and integration of artisanal and small-scale mining into the mainstream economy, with structured support mechanisms aimed at improving safety, productivity, and incomes for small-scale miners. Mines Inspector Jeff Muchiri noted that Kenya has for long exported raw minerals with minimal benefits and emphasized the importance of in-country value addition and mineral processing.
A major highlight of the policy is the gazettement of 14 strategic minerals considered essential for key industrial sectors, including renewable energy, electric vehicle manufacturing, and advanced technology industries. The government says prioritising these minerals will position Kenya as a regional hub for mineral exploration, processing, and value addition.
The forum also revealed that the government has completed a nationwide airborne geophysical survey covering the entire terrestrial landmass of Kenya. The survey identified 970 geophysical anomalies, which will undergo ground-truthing to confirm mineral potential and provide reliable geological data for investors. Ground Chief Mining Officer for Busia County, Brian Bundi, urged stakeholders to provide constructive feedback, noting that public participation would shape the final policy.
Participants raised concerns about implementation, particularly access to geological data, fair distribution of mining benefits and royalties, and the participation of local communities in mining revenues. The draft policy proposes the establishment of a Mineral Sovereign Fund to promote intergenerational equity, alongside a Mineral Development Levy Fund to finance regulatory operations and sector growth.
On artisanal mining, the policy proposes the creation of county-level artisanal mining committees across all 47 counties, a national database of miners, and promotion of cooperatives to strengthen organisation and access to markets. It further proposes the establishment of value addition centres in gemstone-rich areas, gold refineries in gold-producing regions, and processing facilities to improve earnings for small-scale miners.
The policy also addresses cross-cutting issues such as gender mainstreaming, child labour, disability inclusion, climate change, and environmental sustainability. The government is setting up Kenya’s first gold refinery at Iguhu in Ikolomani Constituency, Kakamega County, at a cost of Sh5.8 billion under a public-private partnership. The refinery is expected to eliminate middlemen, enable direct access to global markets, and create local employment opportunities.
Officials say the refinery will mark a major step in Kenya’s mineral value addition agenda and strengthen the country’s competitiveness in the global mining industry. The draft policy is expected to guide the transformation of the mining sector into a major contributor to national development, aligned with Kenya’s broader vision of becoming a newly industrialising, globally competitive, and prosperous upper-middle-income economy.
