Kenya
Context
Kenya is endowed with over 120 types of mineral resources, including large reserves of iron ore, copper, zinc, mercury, and heavy metals such as ilmenite, rutile, and zircon. The mining sector has been key to the country’s economic growth. Investment in the Kenyan mining sector has boomed in recent years, and the sector is considered by the Government to be a key driver to achieve the 2030 Agenda. The Government has recently amended the Mining and Minerals Policy (2016), the Mining Act (2016) and associated mining regulations.
Capacity development
Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment of the Mining Sector
The EGP supported the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to conduct the first-ever Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) of Kenya’s mining sector. This has produced a comprehensive evaluation of the existing institutional and policy framework from the perspective of environmental and human rights protection. Key SESA recommendations have been implemented, such as the establishment of a cross-sector coordination mechanism to oversee the mining sector with representatives from the ministries of mining and environment, civil society organizations, and the National Commission on Human Rights.
Community Guide to Large-Scale Mining
The EGP supported the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining in the development of a community guide on participation in decision-making across the mining cycle, focusing on large-scale mining operations in Kenya. The guide provides information about community engagement requirements and opportunities at each stage of the mining cycle, including who, how and when they should be engaged or consulted. It also explains the requirements of Kenya’s Mining Law (2016), mining regulations, and other relevant environmental laws. At the request of the Government, the guide is being translated into several local languages and will be used by both the NEMA and the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining in their consultations with local communities and civil society organizations.
Inter-agency coordination mechanism
The EGP has supported the establishment of a technical committee to ensure the effective implementation of the programme and broader mining work in Kenya and advocacy for a rights-based approach to mining governance. The committee brings together the National Environment Management Authority; the National Commission on Human Rights; the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health of the Ministry of Human Resources; the Kenya Chamber of Mines; the University of Nairobi; and UNDP Kenya.
Information sharing and advocacy
The EGP has organized a series of consultations with local communities and grassroots organizations as part of the development of the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment of the mining sector. These have been held in Nguluku, Mrima, Mkangombe, Denyenye, Tiwi-Maweni and Kuranze (Kwale County) and in Ikutha, Kanziku, Zombe, Mui and Ngaaiye (Kitui County).
Training workshops
Kwale Workshop on Environmental Governance of the Mining Sector: Putting Policies into Practice
The EGP supported the National Environment Management Authority in the organization of an international workshop focusing on the implementation of the recommendations from the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment of Kenya’s mining sector and the Rule of Law in Public Administration in Mozambique’s mining sector. The workshop was held in May 2018 in Kwale and brought together representatives from the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining; Ministry of Environment and Forestry; Council of Governors; Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice; Kenyan National Treasury; and National Commission on Human Rights, among other key stakeholders in the mining sector. The workshop report is available here.
National Workshop and Consultation on Human Rights-based Environmental Public Administration
The EGP organized a national workshop for senior decision-makers in the Kenyan Government and civil society organizations, focusing on opportunities for meaningful community engagement throughout the mining cycle, and transparency and accountability. The workshop was held in May 2016 in Naivasha, Nakuru County. Participants represented the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining; the Ministry of Environment and Forestry; Regional Development Authorities; Kwale County Government; Department of Occupational Health and Safety Services; the Kenyan National Commission on Human Rights; Nairobi Process; Huria; and the Chamber of Mines. The workshop report is available here.
Our partners
National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)
State Department of Mining, Ministry of Petroleum and Mining (MADINI)
Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR)
Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), Ministry of Labour and Social Protection
Kenya Chamber of Mines (KCM)
University of Nairobi (UoN)
Base Titanium, Kwale Country
Resources
Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) of the Mining Sector
Key Findings and Recommendations from SESA in Kenya, by Maureen Njeri, National Environment Management Authority, Kwale Workshop, May 2018
Community Guide to Large-Scale Mining in Kenya, by Gregory Kituku, Ministry of Petroleum and Mining, Kwale Workshop, May 2018
Community Engagement in the Extractives Sector in Kenya: The Experiences of Amkeni waKenya, by Wambua Kituku, UNDP Kenya, Kwale Workshop, May 2018
Kilimapesa Gold Mine: Case Presentation by NEMA, Kwale Workshop, May 2018
Focal point
The EGP focal point at UNDP Kenya is Geoffrey Omedo.
