Interior CS Fred Matiang'i has suspended
quarrying and extraction of natural resources from prison land countrywide.
Matiang'i has also ordered the review of all mining and quarrying contracts.
At Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru on Thursday, he told a meeting that the government is committed to reforms that will improve their working and living standards.
In March, a report by the National Environmental Complaints Committee stated that the workers often expose themselves to dangerous chemicals in highly toxic environments.
Gold miners often handle mercury with bare hands.
"Mercury is a very toxic chemical. The miners do this because they are unaware of the health risks," the report stated.
In April, two people were buried alive at a quarry in Homa Bay following heavy rains.
Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria also suspended quarry activities after five people died in landslides that month.
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