By Shaban Omar
Mining-affected communities in Kwale County have a reason to smile after the national government announced the completion of long-awaited mining regulations that will finally unlock the disbursement of mineral royalties.
Speaking on Friday, January 9, 2026, at the Kenya School of Government in Matuga during the signing of the completed regulations, Mining Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai said the new regulations will take effect once they are gazetted next week.
“We want to announce that the national government is now ready, with proper regulations in place, to begin releasing the 10 percent mineral royalties due to communities,” said Kimtai.
The signing was chaired by Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, who also presided over the launch of the Post-Mining Land Use (PMLU) Report.
Kwale County is owed about Sh1.7 billion in royalties, while mining-affected communities are yet to receive approximately Sh900 million, funds accrued over the years from mining activities carried out by the Australian firm Base Titanium.
The funds have been pending as the government finalized a regulatory framework to guide their distribution.
Kimtai said the completed framework will streamline the collection and disbursement of royalties, ensuring that no further delays are experienced.
He noted that any royalties collected going forward will be processed and released within the stipulated timelines, as required by law.
“There will be no more delays, that will be a thing of the past,” he said.
The PS also announced that Kwale will be the first county to receive the mineral royalties once the regulations are gazetted, marking a major milestone for a region that has long pushed for the release of the funds.
On his part, CS Joho said the signing of the mining regulations and the launch of the PMLU report mark a significant milestone for Kenya’s mining sector.
He said the PMLU report reflects the views of all stakeholders and was developed transparently and without undue influence.
“The document was not formulated under pressure and represents the interests of mining-affected citizens,” Joho said.
The Cabinet Secretary added that the ministry has set a benchmark in Kwale that can be replicated in other parts of the country.
He said the PMLU report ushers in the second phase following the completion of mining activities by Base Titanium.
According to Joho, the report provides clear guidelines on the next steps in the mine-closure process, including sustainable land rehabilitation and future post-mining land use.
