Seven Chinese nationals have been convicted by the Kapenguria Law Courts of Kenya for conducting illegal mining operations along the Wei-Wei River in Sigor, Pokot Central Sub-County.
The accused—Wang Youping, Xian Zhenming, He Zhouming, Wang Xiadodong, Zhao Zhenewei, Guan Qiang, and Deng Chun—were apprehended on February 12, 2025, during a coordinated crackdown led by the Mining Investigations Unit in collaboration with the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspects were found engaging in large-scale mining activities without the necessary government licenses. Authorities impounded an array of heavy machinery at the site, including six lorries, two excavators, two bulldozers, a caterpillar, a water boozer, two high-powered generators, and a modified container serving as an equipment store.
Investigations confirmed that the group had entered Kenya and commenced mining operations without proper documentation. Two of the individuals, Xian Zhenming and Deng Chun, were also found to be in the country illegally, lacking both work permits and alien registration certificates.
Mineral samples taken from the site and analyzed at the Government Mining Laboratory verified the substance being extracted as quartz.
During the court proceedings on April 17, all seven individuals pleaded guilty and were convicted based on their own admissions. Each was fined Ksh. 3 million for engaging in unauthorized mining, with a default penalty of one year in prison. An additional fine of Ksh. 400,000 was imposed on each for working without valid permits, failure to pay resulting in a further year of imprisonment.
Zhenming and Chun, who were found to be unlawfully present in the country, received an extra fine of Ksh. 200,000 or an additional six months in jail. The court also ordered their deportation to China upon completion of their sentences or payment of fines.
All sentences are to run consecutively, meaning the convicts face extended prison terms if the fines remain unpaid.