The Principal Secretary for the State Department of Mining, Harry Kimutai, has urged mining companies to comply with the Mining Act as enshrined in the constitution of Kenya to have a seamless run of mining activities.
Speaking during a community social responsibility exercise organised by the Lions Club Mombasa in conjunction with Mombasa Cement at Vyambani in Kilifi County, Mutai said that some mining companies violate the Mining Act, especially by failing to engage the community, leading to resentment from the local community.
“Mining companies should comply with the Mining Act to avoid facing any problems with either the ministry or the local communities,” he said.
Mutai commended Lions Club Mombasa and Mombasa Cement for hosting a free eye check-up camp, distributing foodstuffs to the residents and planting trees at Vyambani area while urging other companies to emulate the same.
The Principal Secretary also led a tree planting exercise which took place adjacent to a mining site in the area.
“We commend you for the great things you are doing and it is high time other companies give back to the local community,” he said.
President of The Lions Club Mombasa Bhupendra Rathod said that apart from Kilifi, the club is conducting free eye check-up camps in Mombasa and Kwale counties while also constructing water pans and boreholes especially in semi-arid areas in a bid to uplift the living standards of less fortunate people and ensuring there is a good chemistry between the local community and the club.
“We help less fortunate people in hunger, we do water pans, boreholes and a lot of charity activities within Kilifi, Kwale and Mombasa Counties with the help of other lions like Mombasa Cement and also through fund raisings,” he said.
On his part, David Abai a representative from Mombasa Cement Company, said the company is committed in ensuring that there is a good rapport between the company and the neighboring communities, especially through partnering in community social responsibility exercises which are of great value to society.“We appreciate the local community for their coordination and we are looking forward to partnering more in future engagements, “he said.
Kilifi County Commissioner Josphat Biwott welcomed the idea behind taking a free eye check-up exercise to the local residents noting that it came at the right time as they turned up in large numbers.
“We are very happy; it is a very rare occasion to partner in assisting local residents with eye problems. I never thought that so many people from such a location would turn up for the same, this means majority have eye problems, kindly keep on assisting,” he said.
The leaders, in partnership with the organisations and the local community, planted 5,000 trees in realization of the country’s goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032 to increase the national tree cover.
By Stephen Mrira
