The Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Hassan Ali Joho, is set to hand over about 475 acres of land in Narok to a private investor for proposed gold exploration, following an application for a mining license covering the area.
In a Gazette Notice dated July 30, 2026, under Gazette Notice No. 13785 pursuant to Section 34 of the Mining Act, CS Joho notified the public that the Ministry had received an application from a private investor for a mining license in Narok County.
The application, registered under ML/2026/0451, covers 1.9232 square kilometers, equivalent to approximately 475 acres, and comprises nine cadastral blocks. The mineral sought by the investor is gold.
“PURSUANT to section 34 of the Mining Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs notifies receipt of an application for a mining license, the details of which are set out in the Schedule hereto,” CS Joho stated in the notice.
Private Investor Seeks Gold License From Cs Joho
The proposed mining area is defined by specific geographical coordinates listed in the Gazette Notice. The application identifies Narok County as the locality where the private investor intends to undertake the proposed gold exploration and mining activities.
Although the notice does not indicate that the license has already been granted, it formally acknowledges receipt of the application and gives members of the public and affected communities an opportunity to review the proposal.
CS Joho confirmed that the Ministry has made the application details available through its Mining Cadastre portal, allowing members of the public to access information on the proposed area and application.
“The application may be accessed from the Ministry’s portal vide the website address https://portal.miningcadastre.go.ke/,” read the notice.
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The Schedule identifies the applicant’s address as P.O. Box 856–00606, Sarit Center.
| Applicant | Private investor |
| Applicant Address | P.O. BOX 856–00606, Sarit Center |
| Application Number | ML/2026/0451 |
| Application Area | 1.9232 km² (9 Cadastral Blocks) |
| Locality | Narok County |
| Mineral(s) Sought | Gold |
Public Given Opportunity to Object
The Gazette Notice also provides for public participation before the proposed mining license can proceed through the applicable approval process.
Members of the public have 42 days from the date of the notice to submit comments on the application. The notice also specifically allows any person or community to object to the proposed grant of the mining license.
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Members of the public have 42 days from the date of the notice to submit comments on the application. The notice also specifically allows any person or community to object to the proposed grant of the mining license.
“…published in the Gazette and opened to the public for comments for forty-two (42) days from the date of this notice.”
However, objections must be submitted within 21 days from the date of the notice. They must be addressed to the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs at the Ministry’s offices in the Works Building on Ngong Road, Nairobi.
The notice also provides the email address [email protected] for submissions, and the proposed area is therefore not yet confirmed as a licensed mining site.
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