There was extraordinary security at a warehouse at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Friday August 29, 2025 when a consignment of gold arrived there from DRC.
The 539.3 kilograms of gold valued at USD45.5 million (Sh5.8 billion) arrived from Kibali Gold Mine in Kinshasa, DRC.
officials said there were also pockets of silver in the cargo in 29 packages aboard a private jet.
It had been imported by Rand Refinery Limited, Road Industries, West Gemstones of South Africa.
The arrival promptedthe mobilization of security officials who verified the cargo before it was moved to the Swissport Cargo Center under heavy security.
The consignment was later flown to Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday, August 30, 2025, officials said.
Officials said they enhanced security to avoid any form of incident on the cargo.
The Kibali Gold Mine is a combined open-pit and underground gold mine in the Haut-Uélé province of the northeast Democratic Republic of the Congo.
By area, it is one of the largest in Africa.
The mine is named for the nearby Kibali River.
It is co-owned by Anglo Gold Ashanti, Barrick Gold Corporation and Sokimo, a state owned mining company.
DRC has in the past accused Kenya of being used as a transit point for illegally mined gold from their country.
This prompted operations to tame the practice after claims the proceeds were used to fund war in the country.
