By AGNETTA OKWEMBA
The Kenya Human Rights Commission in collaboration with Kwale residents, has renewed its call for Base Titanium to address the concerns of communities affected by mining operations before the company’s closure later this year.
Some of the issues raised include land disputes, the relocation of residents, water and air pollution, the legitimacy of the Post Mining Land Use Committee, and concerns regarding royalties.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission emphasized that addressing the complaints is crucial, as it will clarify what actions Base Titanium can take and what responsibilities will remain with the government toward its citizens.
Kenya Human Rights Commission program manager Mary Kambo said that Kenya is the first African country to adopt the National Action Plan (NAP) on business and human rights.
She said Base Titanium has an obligation to ensure that their closure does not negatively impact the local communities.
“The government is responsible for protecting its citizens, while businesses are mandated to respect both their employees and the surrounding communities,” she said.
A resident Bakari Mwanguruwe expressed concerns about the future of their children in light of Base Titanium’s closure.
He said their children are beneficiaries of the company’s scholarship program, and he worries about the impact on their education once the company ceases operations.
A local Bakari Mwanguruwe questioned about the education scholarship expressing fear of what will happen to their children when Base Titaniun closes.
He said their children are among the beneficiaries of the company’s scholarship program.
Shimba Hills representative Esther Joseph decried the rising human-wildlife conflict and urged Base Titanium Limited (BTL) to plant trees to help prevent wildlife from encroaching on residential areas.
“I have baboons and monkeys from the BTL forest visiting my property almost every day. I live in constant fear, as they are persistent even when chased away. My plea to BTL is to plant vegetation to provide an alternative food source for these animals, thus preventing them from destroying people’s crops,” said Esther.
BTL Compliance and Administration Superintendent Clapperton Ngome said that the government will make decisions regarding the land after the company’s exit.
He said that BTL does not have the mandate to make decisions on behalf of the government. Instead, the company will only provide proposals based on their survey of agricultural trials and other relevant activities.
County Coordinator for the National Land Commission, Dennis Mutungi said that, according to the law, the land leased to BTL will revert to public ownership upon the company’s exit.
He assured that the land will be planned and surveyed with community involvement.
Mutungi pledged to ensure fairness for the affected people and urged BTL to exit responsibly, considering the needs of the community.
The meeting was called by Kwale Mining alliance in collaboration with The Kenya Human Rights Commission to address issues of Post Mining Land Use.
