By Alloys Musyoka
Kwale residents are divided on the issue of exploitation of valuable minerals in the region.
Those against exploitation have called upon nominated Mining Cabinet Secretary, Hassan Joho, to refrain from exploiting the valuable minerals in Kwale.
They want Joho to prioritize the concerns of residents who are opposed to being relocated from their ancestral lands.
Kwale County is known for its rich mineral resources with Mrima Hill having one of the top five rare earth deposits in the world. The area also has niobium deposits estimated to be worth $35 billion.
According to 2013 reports by Cortec Kenya Company, the Kenyan government will earn three per cent royalties from the niobium project and five per cent from the rare earths mining.
“We are pleased with Joho’s appointment, but we urge him not to mine Mrima Hill, which contains rare earth elements such as niobium,” said Kwale businessman Richard Ons9ngo.
Onsongo said mining in Mrima Hills, located in Dzombo Ward of Lungalunga Sub County, would necessitate the relocation of residents from over five surrounding villages.
He said that the minerals in the hill are believed to have harmful radioactive properties.
Onsongo wants governor Fatuma Achani to be consulted before any action is taken although locals living within the vicinity of the hill have different opinions.
“We cannot allow our people to endure the hardship of being uprooted from their ancestral lands again,” he said.
If Joho is approved by parliament, he will face the challenge of resolving the Base Titanium land issue, with many locals hoping to have a say in the land’s future use.
Base Titanium is scheduled to cease operations by the end of the year, and some previously relocated residents are hoping to return to the land.
Locals previously relocated from the Base Titanium mined land laid claim on the over 600o acres of land saying they were promised to get it back.
Recently a post mining land use committee constituted by the former mining secretary Salim Mvurya was forced to cancel its public participation programs after locals rejected it saying it must be part of the committee.
Meanwhile locals living in the vicinity of Mrima hill in LungaLunga have Okayed the national government plans to have the minerals extracted for the benefit of the country and locals.
Led by Nassir Bege the Mrima community forests association chair the locals welcomed Joho appointment saying they are optimistic he will perform.
They said Joho should only focus on ensuring communities within and around the area are widely consulted and involved in every plan to have mineral extraction.
“We cannot stand to oppose something that will benefit us and our country as long as the affected lot is well consulted and involved,” he told the Coast Times.
