Thirteen Mining sites in Dabel Location, Moyale Sub-county in Marsabit County are now a disturbed area, interior Cabinet Secretary (CS), Prof Kithure Kindiki, has declared.Prof. Kindiki has also ordered for a one week rapid assessment in the affected County, to ascertain if there were other areas with mineral deposits and which could attract a problem, akin to that in Dabel.The CS who toured the area, soon after issuing a gazette, notice declaring the mining area as dangerous, said Kenya was a country governed by the rule of Law and advised that every investment should be carried out as per the Constitution.He noted with satisfaction that the local County Security Teams had managed to clear the affected area, popularly known as Hillo, of the thousands of illegal artisanal miners, majority of whom were migrants from outside the country.Prof Kindiki directed the County Police Commander, Nyambu Mwakio, to ensure that the affected area was not accessed by any person, including public servants and ensure it remained an operation area as stated.The gazette notice signed, today, by the CS read in part, 'Pursuant to Section 8(1) of the Public Order Act, Cap 56 of the Laws of Kenya, and Section 106(1) of the National Police Service Act, no person may be found present in the areas specified in the Gazette Notice at any time without the written authority of the County Police Commander, Marsabit County.'The CS pointed out that it was of great concern how unauthorized aliens moved into the country and started exploiting highly valuable minerals with unknown beneficiaries of the proceeds.'We have no room for any security breach', he said, adding that it was mind boggling how foreigners ended-up at the as their motives could be suspect.The mining sites that were declared security zones are Hilo Karray, Hillo Hudda, Hillo Qoranjido, Hillo Irress Shindia, Hillo Rabaalee and Hillo Godde Haroressa.Others include Hillo Gorgora, Hillo Orofa, Hillo Walkite, Hillo Tanzania, Hillo Iress Abamartile, Hillo Gootu and Hil lo Tessum Qalicha.The CS, however, asked the County Security Team headed by County Commissioner, Nobert Komora, to allow miners with machinery like crushing units on the ground to move them away.In addition, Prof. Kindiki made it clear that no any other government agency would be allowed into the remedying and restoration of the area, which has also been subjected to huge environmental degradation.He asked the County Commissioner, to task National Government Administrations in the 10 Sub-counties and the State Department of Mining in establishing other potential mining areas in Marsabit, so that appropriate measures can be taken to avoid a repeat of what happened in Dabel.Also present was the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Noor Gabow, Senior Superintendent Inspector of Mines, Jidruph Baru and the County Criminal Investigations Office (CCIO), Luka Tumbo.Last Sunday, a skirmish between two groups of artisanal miners left Six people dead and scores of others with injuries over control of gold depo sits at Hillo Orofa mining site.Source: Kenya News AgencyOPUWO: World Wetlands Day was commemorated at Opuwo on Thursday under the theme 'Wetlands and human wellbeing', emphasising the critical role of wetlands in human prosperity and a healthy planet.World Wetlands Day is an annual event held to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands and promote their conservation and sustainable use. It marks the date of the adoption of the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty aimed at conserving and sustainably managing wetlands around the world.During the event, Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform Calle Schlettwein spoke of the significance of protecting Namibia's wetlands, highlighting their diverse ecological functions and their significance as habitats for numerous species.Schlettwein further emphasised the importance of wetlands in human health, food security, agriculture, and conservation efforts.'Maintaining healthy freshwater wetlands means securing water supply. Our rural communities depend on wetlands for food and building materials such as reeds and timber to construct their houses,' he added.The minister also referenced World Water Day, which is celebrated annually to promote the value of freshwater and the sustainable management of freshwater resources.'Demand for water in the world and Namibia has been increasing and will continue to do so over the coming decades due to population growth, socio-economic development, and increased food production,' he noted.Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism Phamba Shifeta stated at the same event that the world is losing wetlands three times faster than it is losing forests, with more than 80 per cent of wetlands having disappeared since the 1700s.'The trend is accelerating even further since the Ramsar Convention to protected wetlands was signed, and since then at least 35 per cent of the wetlands have been lost,' he said.Shifeta said human activities and climate change are the primary causes of wetlands degradation and loss, which in turn have a detrimental impact on human liv es and welfare.He urged traditional authorities and regional and local government officials to help promote the culture of wetland conservation, stating that concerted efforts at the local level will ensure that Namibia's wetlands are protected and continue to provide much-needed ecosystem services to both society and the environment.Wetlands are habitats that hold water, either continuously or seasonally, and the Kunene Region has over 15 wetlands.Source: Namibia Press Agency