Government Proposes New Mining Courses in Universities to Address Critical Skills Shortage

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Government Proposes New Mining Courses in Universities to Address Critical Skills Shortage.

The Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Hassan Ali Joho, has proposed the introduction and expansion of mining and maritime related academic programs in Kenyan universities.

At an official meeting with the Mining Engineers Society of Kenya (MESK) on Wednesday, 10th July 2025, the Cabinet Secretary emphasized the need for universities and technical institutions to align their programs with the growing demands of the mining and blue economy sectors.

CS Joho said training capacity will improve the technical skills of graduates and increase the pool of professionals in areas like mining engineering, geology, mineral processing and maritime operations.

Currently, only a few institutions in Kenya offer specialized training in mining and maritime disciplines. These are University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Taita Taveta University and Chuka University.

The Cabinet Secretary urged institutions to increase the number of mining related programs. He also encouraged sector players to prioritize local recruitment. “I urge local institutions of higher learning to offer more mining courses. I also encourage mining companies to employ more local labor force, including engineers, geologists and other mining professionals,” CS Joho said.

In line with the Ministry’s direction, CS Joho also announced the establishment of a multi-agency task force that will provide coordinated support in mine safety operations, emergency response and rescue efforts. According to the Ministry, this task force will play a critical role in enforcing compliance, protecting the welfare of mine workers and eliminating illegal mining across the country.

“The Ministry will continue partnering with relevant mining agencies to ensure that safety, rescue operations, and regulatory enforcement are prioritised,” CS Joho confirmed. He commended MESK for its continued collaboration with the government and promoting sustainable and professional mining practices.

Since taking office in 2024, CS Joho has been pushing for regulatory reforms to curb illegal mining and increase the sector’s contribution to the economy.

In another development, CS Joho met with the Ministry of Interior on Wednesday, 16th April 2025 with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and senior security officials including the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Director Mohamed Amin, Deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police Service (KPS) Eliud Lagat and Deputy Inspector General of Administration Police Service (APS) Gilbert Masengeli.

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During the meeting, the officials discussed the establishment of specialized law enforcement units to combat illegal mining across the country. According to Interior CS Murkomen, illegal mining leads to loss of government revenue, deters investment, environmental degradation and multiple public health and safety risks including child labor and exposure to hazardous working conditions.

The Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs said these reforms are part of an ongoing inter-agency framework to restore regulatory order, promote ethical resource management and increase the sector’s overall productivity.

Government Proposes New Mining Courses in Universities to Address Critical Skills Shortage.