The Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Hassan Ali Joho, has assured residents of Kwale County and the wider public that the government is committed to transparency and accountability in the proposed Mrima Hills mining project.
Speaking during a consultative meeting with Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) of Kwale at the Kenya School of Government, Matuga Campus, Joho said the project remains at a preliminary stage.
He reiterated that no investor has been identified, no mining licence has been issued, and no agreement has been signed in relation to the project.
“The Ministry is committed to a transparent and competitive process in identifying an investor, to ensure maximum benefit for the people of Kwale and the nation at large. The Mrima project will be the first mining project in the country’s history to be taken through a tendering process as part of the effort of guaranteeing transparency,” Joho said.
The meeting formed part of the ministry’s ongoing engagement with key stakeholders on the proposed Mrima Hills mining project, which is located in Kwale County and has attracted international attention due to its mineral potential.
The MCAs were led by County Assembly Speaker Seth Mwatela Kamanza, Deputy Speaker Andrew Mulei, Majority Leader Hanifa Mwajirani, Minority Leader Tumaini Mwachaunga, and County Clerk Fatuma Mwalupa.
The Mrima Hills project is planned to extract rare earth elements (REEs) and niobium from one of the region’s largest known deposits.
Niobium is used in the manufacture of high-strength steel, while rare earth elements are key components in electronics, electric vehicles, and green technologies.
Experts estimate that the deposits could be worth tens of billions of dollars, potentially positioning Kenya as a significant supplier of strategic minerals globally.
Joho said he was satisfied that the national government and the Kwale County Assembly were aligned in their approach to the project.
He added that both levels of government have agreed to work together to ensure the mining venture is safe, transparent, and sustainable, while delivering benefits to the local community.
During the meeting, Mining Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai presented details on mineral development in Kwale County, highlighting the county’s strategic role in Kenya’s mining sector.
The presentation covered the county’s mining potential, the significance of Mrima Hills, land classification and mineral ownership, and the legal framework governing mining activities.
Kimtai also addressed licensing and compensation principles, land access issues, and the roles of county governments and local communities, as well as environmental, cultural, and biodiversity considerations.
He emphasised the need for structured stakeholder engagement throughout the project lifecycle to safeguard community interests and environmental integrity.
Members of the County Assembly welcomed the early consultations, noting that the project could improve livelihoods in Kwale if implemented properly.
They pledged to support the Cabinet Secretary in sensitising residents about the project’s potential benefits and said they would avoid politicising the initiative.
The meeting was also attended by technical officers from the State Department for Mining, Kwale County Commissioner David Rotich, and Lunga Lunga Deputy County Commissioner Christopher Siele, underscoring broad government involvement in shaping the future of the proposed mining project.
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