Hassan Joho, the newly appointed Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy, officially assumed office on Friday, pledging to drive significant changes in the sector. In his inaugural address, Joho outlined his strategic priorities, focusing on the expansion of mineral mapping and enhancing value addition processes to maximize economic benefits for Kenya.
Joho emphasized the need to scale up the mapping of new mineral deposits across the country. “Our goal is to identify and catalog mineral resources comprehensively to facilitate easier marketing and better management,” he said. This move is expected to boost the country’s capacity to attract investment and optimize resource utilization.
Joho also highlighted his commitment to shifting the sector’s focus from merely exporting raw materials to developing value addition strategies. He believes that processing minerals locally will lead to greater economic returns and create more job opportunities for Kenyans. “We must move beyond exporting raw materials. Our focus will be on enhancing local processing and value addition to ensure that Kenyans benefit directly from our mineral wealth,” Joho stated.
The new Cabinet Secretary’s appointment marks a shift in the leadership of the Ministry, previously headed by Salim Mvurya. Mvurya, who has transitioned to the Ministry of Trade and Investment, reflected on his tenure and the progress made in the mining and blue economy sectors.
Under his leadership, significant developments included the establishment of minerals testing laboratories, aimed at improving the quality and reliability of mineral testing in Kenya.
Mvurya noted the potential of the mining and blue economy sectors to generate substantial revenue and employment, particularly for the youth. “If well-harnessed, these sectors can significantly boost national revenues and create numerous job opportunities. We have laid a strong foundation, and I am confident that the new leadership will build on these achievements,” he remarked.
Joho’s strategic focus and commitment to enhancing the mining and blue economy sectors are poised to drive Kenya towards greater economic prosperity and sustainable development in the years to come.