By Alloys Musyoka
Kwale county governor Fatuma Achani has weighed in to the issue of Base Titanium royalties delay by the national government.
She joined the Kwale county residents and civil society calls demanding payment of royalties from Base Titanium proceeds paid to the national government amounting to billions of shillings.
Base Titanium started mining and exporting minerals in 2013 before the enactment of mining act 2016 that ensures as a mining company submit 70 per cent for the national government, 20 per cent to the county government and 10 per cent to communities of mineral benefits.
Achani says that around Sh1.2 billion should have been disbursed from the national treasury to county government as royalties in the last financial year 2023-2024.
Speaking in during the official opening of Miguneni ECDE center in Kinango, the governor faulted the national assembly for doing away with Sh650 millions in the 2024-2025 budget which was part of Base Titanium royalties.
It is not clear which formula he county government would have used to ensure the royalties funds are spend on projects.
This is as the international mining company continues to plan its exit strategy with plans to close down by December being on the notch higher.
The Australian mining company has already submitted the funds to the national government as required by the mining act 2016.
Once the funds are remitted, the national government is supposed to ensure county government and communities get their right share.
“It is very unfortunate that Base Titanium has been mining and selling minerals from Kwale but royalties have never got to benefit residents,” she said.
She said that Kwale county residents have rights like other Kenyans to benefit from mining royalties.
Kwale residents and civil society groups led by Kwale mining Alliance have continued to raise questions as to why the national government has delayed disbursing royalties’ money to counties.
The delays have raised eyebrows even more to communities living around mining areas indirectly affected and those who were directly affected by being relocated to other areas from Nguluku and Maumba.
Swalehe Mwabakari, one of the residents, said that it is unfortunate the company is closing in December with no royalty benefit being witnessed.
The government should tell us what they are doing with our 10 per cent and 20 per cent from the county government, the new cabinet secretary for mining should make this issue his first project,” he said,
Kenyans for Green World CBO director Omar Weko said that Kwale residents are still in the dark on the issue of royalties.
“We are asking mining CS Ali Hassan Joho to look into the issue and ensure Kwale people benefit from mining activities by Base Titanium,” he added.
