By Mwanaharusi Rashid.
Kwale County Governor Fatuma Achani has intensified her demand for the national government to release Kshs. 1.2 billion in royalties accrued from the mining activities of Base Titanium over the past decade.
The royalties, she emphasized, are long overdue and vital for the development and well-being of the Kwale community.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of Miguneni Nursery School in Kasemeni Ward, Kinango, Governor Achani expressed her frustration with the national government’s delay in disbursing these funds, which are intended to benefit the residents of Kwale County.
The governor’s remarks reflect the growing discontent among local leaders and communities who feel sidelined despite hosting one of Kenya’s most lucrative mining operations.
Governor Achani’s call for the expedited release of royalties is rooted in the significant economic contribution that the Base Titanium mining operations have made to the national economy.
For over 10 years, Base Titanium, a subsidiary of the Australian company Base Resources, has been extracting titanium a valuable mineral from the Kwale mines. The operations have generated substantial profits, a portion of which was meant to be returned to the local community through royalties.
However, according to Governor Achani, these royalties have not been fully realized. The national government was expected to disburse the Kshs. 1.2 billion to the Kwale County government in phases.
Yet, as Base Titanium approaches the end of its mining activities, slated for completion by the end of this year, the community has seen little benefit from the promised funds.
“The people of Kwale have waited long enough. We have watched as the resources of our land have been extracted and exported, yet the promised benefits have not been forthcoming,” Achani said during the school opening. “It is time for the national government to honor its commitments and release the royalties that are rightfully ours.”
Adding to her grievances, Governor Achani criticized the National Assembly’s recent decision to remove Kshs. 650 million from the 2024/2025 budget that was earmarked as part of the mining royalties for Kwale County. This cut, she argued, is a direct blow to the county’s development plans, particularly in areas that have been directly affected by the mining operations.
Achani described the budget cut as a betrayal of the people of Kwale, who have borne the environmental and social costs of mining with the expectation that the royalties would help mitigate these impacts.
“The decision to reduce the allocated funds is not just unfair, it is unjust,” she stated. “We were promised these funds as compensation for the resources taken from our land, and to have them taken away now is unacceptable.”
The governor’s demand highlights a broader issue of resource allocation and equity in Kenya’s extractive industries.
While the national government has reaped significant revenues from the mining sector, the communities where these resources are extracted often remain underdeveloped and impoverished.
In Kwale, the situation is particularly stark. Despite a decade of mining, many residents continue to face challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, poor access to education and healthcare, and limited economic opportunities. The promised royalties were seen as a crucial resource for addressing these issues, funding community projects, and improving the overall quality of life in the county.
Governor Achani’s firm stance on the matter is a clear signal to the national government that the people of Kwale will no longer tolerate delays and unfulfilled promises.
She urged the government to act swiftly to disburse the remaining royalties and ensure that the benefits of mining are shared equitably with the local communities.
As Base Titanium’s operations near their conclusion, the spotlight is now on the national government to respond to these demands and deliver on its commitments. The resolution of this issue will be a key test of the government’s commitment to equitable development and its ability to manage the resources of Kenya in a way that benefits all its citizens.
