Cabinet approves Mining Bill, 2014

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his cabinet address journalists at State House in Nairobi on the 28th January, 2014. Cabinet has on Tuesday approved the Mining Bill 2014, and authorised its submission to parliament for debate. The bill was passed during the second cabinet meeting of 2014 chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta. Other declarations affecting other ministries were made at the same meeting. PHOTO/EVANS HABIL 

In Summary

• Farmers also received a reprieve in the directive issued to National Cereals and Produce Board whose depots are now required to be properly stocked with fertilizer on continuous basis through a revolving fund and promptly pay farmers upon delivery of their maize to NCPB.

By PSCU
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Cabinet has on Tuesday approved the Mining Bill 2014, and authorized its submission to parliament for debate.

The bill was passed during the second cabinet meeting of 2014 chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta. Other declarations affecting other ministries were made at the same meeting.

Key among this is a pronouncement to enhance security of all Kenyans including strategic investments across the country and the approval of Kshs 2.3 billion to improve the stocks in the strategic grain reserve.

FOOD SECURITY

The cabinet directed the Ministries of Agriculture, Devolution and Planning, Environment and Water, to continuously monitor the situation in regard to food, water and pasture availability, and advice on additional measures to avoid a crisis situation.

Farmers also received a reprieve in the directive issued to National Cereals and Produce Board whose depots are now required to be properly stocked with fertilizer on continuous basis through a revolving fund and promptly pay farmers upon delivery of their maize to NCPB.

“The NCPB will continue to purchase maize from farmers to boost the available stocks for the strategic grain reserves. Adequate funds have been provided by the National Treasury for this purpose,” read part of the statement sent to the newsroom.

To improve on service delivery to Kenyans, all ministries and departments were directed to adopt targets settings culture and develop Smart work plans that ensures all staff are productively engaged and are more effective, efficient and ethical in delivery of quality services to wananchi.

“The ministries and departments should finalize the smart work plans/roadmaps within the next two weeks but clearly focusing on results to Kenyans,” read the statement.

The cabinet appreciated that 600,000 title deeds country wide have been finalized.

The Mining Bill of 2014 seeks to facilitate the establishment of a vibrant minerals and mining sector, attract substantial investments in geological mapping, capital development, exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, and make Kenya a hub for minerals processing, value addition and trade in the Eastern African region bench marked with international best practice.