The Government has shut down gold mining at Kom area in Isiolo county to pave way for an environmental audit.
Isiolo County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding said the miners were using heavy machines which are having effects on the environment.
The National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) is set to conduct an environmental impact assessment to give the ecological guidelines before mining operations can resume.
The government has at the same time directed gold miners in the area to seek licenses from all the relevant government authorities before engaging in any sort of mining activities.