By Anthony Zoka.
Rabai Deputy County Commissioner in Kilifi Joseph Lenkarie has issued a three-month ultimatum for Mining companies at Kaliang’ombe, to comply with the legal framework.
Lenkarie maintained that it’s the right of every Kenyan to enjoy the benefits of investors around them through corporate social responsibilities.
Speaking at Rabai during a stakeholders meeting, he revealed that most companies in the area are yet to honor their obligation of giving back to the community who some are suffering because of the mining activities.
“The law requires each quarry to have a Community Development Agreement Committee, we will reconstitute all the CDAs within the next two weeks. This will give a framework on how the community will engage the investors for their benefit.” Revealed Lenkarie,”he said.
According to the administrator over 100 people within Kaliang’ombe are yet to be compensated after their houses among other properties were destroyed due to use of explosives at the quarries.
The DCC noted that reconstitution of the CDA committees will give a guideline on how the community will benefit and work towards ensuring the community is fully aware of the 1% the investors are supposed to remit back to them which is currently unknown.
This directive comes as Kaliang’ombe residents raise alarm over increased use of explosives in mining activities in the area.
Led by Said Charo, the locals claim they are yet to see the positive impact of having lion share on investors within Rabai Sub County.
“We have been suffering in silence and time has come for us to sit and come up with an amicable solution that will have a win-win situation between the community, investors and the government. We have been witnessing extraordinary blasts that have been affecting us apart from those listed in reports lined up for compensation.” Noted Charo.
According to Charo, Kaliang’ombe residents should be considered first in implementation of CSR projects as well as employment opportunities with most companies in the area ferrying workers to work within Kaliang’ombe at the expense of the local community who, according to him, have similar qualifications.
However, Mohammed Amin of Kavee Quarry limited, said that companies should be crucified as per their sins.
According to Amin, not all companies within Kaliang’ombe are non-compliant, adding that they have been having good relationships with the local community.
“Kavee we have been operational for over 60 years and if there is any misconduct that our staff has demonstrated I apologize and assure you that we will be focusing more on the community despite receiving requests across the coastal region that might need urgent intervention.” Noted Amin.
He maintained that they have been lining up CSR activities in most parts of Kilifi and meeting the set standards in their daily operations calling for each company to take responsibility.
Also present was inspector of explosives in the ministry of mining, Timothy Kinyua, who called on all investors to have a vibrometer to measure the level of vibration during blast.
Kinyua admitted having received complaints from Kaliang’ombe residents since 2022 a move that resulted in a multi-agency team that went around investigating the effects of explosives among other mining activities.
“During this time 549 structures were accessed and recommendations were forwarded and that was between the investors and the community to agree on the mode of compensation which is yet to happen to date. “revealed the officer.
According to him, the reconstitution of the CDA committees will bring a solution as plans are on to bring change in the mining industry that aims at issuing licenses to mining companies across the country unlike where they are issued with mining permits.
