The government is finalizing draft regulations to guide how revenue earned from the exploitation of natural resources will be shared among national, county governments, and local communities.
Speaking during the opening of the 30th Meeting of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) Regional Committee Against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources, Principal Secretary for Mining Harry Kimtai confirmed that the draft regulations have been submitted to the Office of the Auditor General for review. Kimtai emphasized that the regulations aim to promote transparency, fairness, and accountability in the distribution of proceeds from the country’s natural wealth.
According to the proposed revenue-sharing formula, 70 percent of the earnings will go to the national government, 20 percent to county governments, and 10 percent to the communities directly impacted by mining activities.
“The move is meant to ensure that those affected by mining projects benefit directly and that there is equitable distribution of the wealth generated from our natural resources,” Kimtai said.
From Left: Chairperson of the ICGLR Regional Committee,Mr. Quesnay de Jésus Akabahinga, Chief Guest PS State Department for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs- Mr Harry Kimtai, ICGRL Executive Secretary-Amb.Joào Samuel Caholo and ICGLR National Coordinator in Kenya- Mr. Abdishakur Hussein during 30th Meeting of the ICGLR Regional Committee against the illegal exploitation of natural resources event at Hyatt Regency, Westlands
The 30th Meeting of the ICGLR Regional Committee, running from April 28 to 30 at the Hyatt Regency Westlands in Nairobi, marks a significant step in enhancing regional cooperation to combat the illegal exploitation of natural resources. Organized by the ICGLR Conference Secretariat and Kenya’s State Department for Mining, the meeting has been supported technically and financially by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Kingdom of the Netherlands via GIZ, and the European Union through IMPACT.
Key objectives of the three-day conference include reviewing Member States’ progress in implementing national roadmaps under the Six Tools of the Regional Initiative Against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources, receiving updates from the Audit Committee and Regional Database Technical Working Group, and assessing reports from Ad Hoc Sub-Committees on the status and next steps of the Initiative.
The event has brought together 13 committee members representing ICGLR Member States, officials from Kenya’s State Department for Mining, the ICGLR Secretariat, the regional women’s forum, and invited implementation partners attending as observers.
The ICGLR Regional Committee’s work is anchored in the Pact on Security, Stability, and Development in the Great Lakes Region, aiming to safeguard the region’s abundant natural resources through sustainable management and strengthened governance