Quartz Heist: Seven Chinese Nationals Convicted in Shocking West Pokot Illegal Mining Scandal
In 2024, HubzMedia reported on rising tension in West Pokot and Turkana counties, where local communities accused foreign mining operators of land exploitation
Seven Chinese nationals have been convicted by the Kapenguria Law Courts for engaging in unlawful mining activities along the banks of the Wei-Wei River in Sigor, Pokot Central Sub-County — an incident that has reignited concerns about unchecked foreign exploration in Kenya’s mineral-rich hinterlands.
The group was arrested on February 12, 2025, during a joint enforcement operation by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI)’s Mining Investigations Unit and officials from the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs. The crackdown targeted a suspected illegal mining site, where officers discovered intensive excavation works being conducted without requisite licenses or approvals.
The suspects — identified as Wang Youping, Xian Zhenming, He Zhouming, Wang Xiadodong, Zhao Zhenewei, Guan Qiang, and Deng Chun — were apprehended at the site, which was heavily equipped with industrial machinery. Authorities documented six lorries used for transporting excavated material, two bulldozers, two excavators, a caterpillar, a water boozer, high-capacity generators, and a container converted into an equipment store.
Preliminary findings revealed that the foreign nationals had initiated mining operations without registration or permits from the Ministry. Further investigations uncovered that two of the suspects, Xian Zhenming and Deng Chun, were in the country illegally, lacking both work permits and alien identification documents.
Mineral samples taken from the site were analyzed at the Government Mining Laboratory and confirmed to be quartz — a mineral with a rising global demand linked to electronics and industrial applications.
Appearing before Principal Magistrate Court No. 2 on April 17, 2025, all seven individuals pleaded guilty to the charges. They were each fined Sh3 million for engaging in unauthorized mining activities, with a default sentence of one year in prison.
Additionally, for operating in Kenya without valid work documentation, each was fined Sh400,000 or risk a further year in jail. The court imposed supplementary penalties on Xian Zhenming and Deng Chun, who were also fined Sh200,000 for unlawful presence in the country — with a fallback of six months in jail. Upon serving their sentences or settling the fines, the two will be deported to China.
Why Quartz Matters
Quartz is one of the most abundant and versatile minerals on Earth. It is widely used in a range of industries due to its durability and piezoelectric properties. Key uses include:
- Electronics: Quartz crystals are used in the manufacturing of watches, clocks, mobile phones, and computers for their frequency-stabilizing abilities.
- Glassmaking: Quartz sand is a major raw material in the production of glass.
- Construction: Crushed quartz is used in concrete and construction work.
- Industrial Abrasives: Its hardness makes it suitable for sandblasting and cutting tools.
- Jewelry and Gemstones: Varieties such as amethyst, citrine, and rose quartz are prized for ornamental use.
Government Shakeup Amid Fallout
Following the high-profile conviction, it is reported that a number of key government officers stationed in the region have since been transferred over allegations of complacency and failure to act on intelligence regarding illegal mining operations. The Ministry of Mining is said to be conducting internal reviews to establish how the foreign nationals were able to operate undetected for months.
Background and Ongoing Concerns
This incident adds to growing scrutiny over the influx of foreign individuals and companies involved in extractive industries across the North Rift. In 2024, HubzMedia reported on rising tension in West Pokot and Turkana counties, where local communities accused foreign mining operators of land exploitation and environmental degradation without consultation or benefit-sharing.
Video:https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMBt8rFN9/
Activists and local leaders have persistently called for greater transparency and enforcement from the national government. The DCI, now under pressure, is reportedly expanding its surveillance and enforcement operations in suspected hotspots — including Kapenguria, Ortum, and Chepareria.
Authorities have urged members of the public, especially residents of mineral-rich zones, to report any suspicious activities to local administrators or law enforcement.
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