The leadership of Kishushe Ranching Cooperative Society Ltd has commended the government for its swift intervention in resolving long-standing mining disputes in the area.
Speaking during a food distribution exercise for five primary schools in the Kishushe area on Friday, Wilfred Mwalimo, the ranch secretary, singled out the Ministry of Mining for praise, describing it as a department that is cautious and ready to listen to the concerns of local communities.
“If there is a department that is very cautious and is ready to listen, it’s the department of mining. This is because when we arrived there, they already had the report following the letters that we had earlier written. They had the correct report that the companies were illegally in Kishushe Ranch,” Mwalimo said.
The secretary revealed that the ministry will issue a notice by the end of next week stating which entities are operating illegally within Kishushe Ranch, a move that the community has been pushing for to address what they term as unauthorised exploitation of their resources.
Matilda Waleghwa, the Chairperson of Kishushe Ranching Cooperative Society Ltd, confirmed that the ranch leadership had held a meeting with the Principal Secretary for Mining, where critical agreements were reached regarding investor operations in the area.
“We held a meeting with the PS for mining, and we agreed that those investors who were in the area without the consent of the community will be removed,” Waleghwa stated, adding that investors accepted by the Kishushe Ranch community would have their licences released on time to enable the community benefit from their activities.
The chairperson emphasised that the meeting also addressed the contentious issue of revenue sharing, with both parties agreeing that investors operating in the ranch must remit money belonging to citizens and the ranch without unnecessary delays or disputes.
“We also discussed with the PS that for the investors who will start their work in the ranch, they should give the money which belongs to the citizens and that which is for the Kishushe Ranch should also be given without push and pull. For the new investors who will be coming, please, let’s not quarrel one another over money meant for the citizens or the Kishushe ranch,” Waleghwa appealed.
Mwalimo lauded the government for its responsiveness to their grievances and urged the Ministry of Mining to maintain the same approach in handling mining disputes across the country.
He expressed confidence that with the current leadership under President William Ruto and the ministry’s commitment, such disputes would be resolved permanently.
“The Ministry of Mining should continue with that spirit so that such small disputes in the mining areas end. We have high hopes that with the leadership we are currently witnessing with the President and the Ministry, these issues will be a story of the past,” he said.
The ranch leadership also highlighted the shift in governance at Kishushe Ranching Cooperative Society Ltd, emphasising that the current administration is guided by principles of transparency and accountability.
Mwalimo noted that decision-making powers now rest with primary stakeholders rather than being concentrated in the hands of a few leaders, as was the case in the past.
Beyond the mining issues, Waleghwa also used the platform to appeal to President Ruto to consider extending the Mzima Spring water project to Kishushe residents, noting that the area is just a few kilometres from the water source. She pointed out that the area is currently facing a severe water shortage exacerbated by an extended dry season.
On infrastructure development, the chairperson requested the president prioritise the tarmacking of the Ndii-Mwakitau road, which she said would alleviate the suffering of residents who endure dust pollution as trucks transport iron ore from the area.
The developments come at a time when the Kishushe community is grappling with economic challenges stemming from prolonged drought and limited employment opportunities.
The resolution of the mining disputes is expected to pave the way for legitimate investment in the area, potentially creating jobs and generating revenue for community development projects.
By Arnold Linga Masila
