By C, KNA
The National Government has assured leaders and residents of Kwale County that consultations on the proposed Mrima Hills mineral mining project are still at an early stage and will be conducted inclusively.
Speaking after a consultative meeting on Friday at the Kenya School of Government (KSG), Matuga Campus, Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy, Ali Hassan Joho, said the engagement was meant to “break the ice” and initiate discussions on how to unlock the mineral potential of Mrima Hills in Lunga Lunga Sub-County, clarifying that the process has not yet begun.
“We are at a very early stage of discussion. The meeting was called to initiate consultations and agree on how we progress. The journey has just begun,” said Joho.
The CS said the government plans to hold separate engagements with various stakeholders, including Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), Members of Parliament, the Kwale County Executive, religious leaders, and community representatives to ensure broad-based participation.
“Our objective is to consult the leadership of Kwale County and receive guidance on the way forward. The direction we have received is that we should engage leaders separately, and that is exactly what we will do,” he added.
Joho emphasized that the government would not license any mining activity that poses harm to people or the environment, adding that value addition would be a key requirement for any future mining operation.
“The government will not issue licenses for geological resources without value addition. Factories will be established locally so that the final products are processed here, creating jobs and business opportunities for the people of Kwale,” he said.
According to the CS, the Mrima Hills project, valued at approximately Sh8.1 billion, has the potential to employ thousands of young people and inject billions of shillings into the local economy through local content participation.
“This is a project of national importance and of great significance to the local community. There will be continuous engagement and consultation as we move forward,” he added.
However, the Kwale County Government expressed dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Mining’s handling of consultations, alleging that the process lacks adequate engagement with local leaders.
Kwale County Deputy Governor, Josphat Chirema Kombo, walked out of the consultative meeting on Friday in protest, citing concerns over what he termed inadequate public participation.
Speaking to the Kenya News Agency, Chirema Kombo said the county leadership felt sidelined in a process that directly affects community land and livelihoods.
“We cannot sit in a meeting where leaders are intimidated or denied an opportunity to freely raise the concerns of the people they represent. Development cannot be imposed on people,” he said.
The Deputy Governor, accompanied by Pongwe–Kikoneni MCA Omar Mwaduga and Vanga MCA Yusuf Mbwana, said the county government would not support mining activities at Mrima Hills unless residents’ concerns are fully addressed.
MCAs Mwaduga and Mbwana supported the Deputy Governor’s position, insisting that local communities must not be excluded from decision-making on projects affecting their land and livelihoods.
Mrima Hills is considered one of the few regions globally with deposits of rare earth minerals, including niobium, which are critical for modern technologies.
