State moves to dismantle mining cartels in Kishushe, Taita Taveta

Mining Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai during the Kishushe Ranch Special General meeting at held at the ranch’s Wanjala headquarters in Wundanyi constituency/HANDOUT

The government has moved to dismantle cartels and brokers accused of blocking legitimate mining investments in Kishushe Ranch, Taita Taveta County.

Mining Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai said the government would not tolerate clandestine actors undermining lawful mining projects, warning that authorities were closely monitoring activities around Kishushe, a mineral-rich area earmarked for large-scale iron ore development.

“Tell the wheeler dealers hovering around the area that there is no more room for their clandestine activities,” Kimtai said.

“The government is firm on enforcing the mining law and regulations, including strict adherence to Community Development Agreements that govern investor–community engagement.”

The Principal Secretary, who was accompanied by Secretary Mines Thomas Mutwiwa, spoke during a Kishushe Ranch Special General Meeting at held at the ranch’s Wanjala headquarters in Wundanyi constituency.

His remarks followed reports that cartels had been falsely claiming that no large-scale investor could operate in the Kishushe area without their approval, a move officials say has discouraged potential investors and delayed development.

At the meeting, Kishushe Ranch shareholders resolved to grant consent to the Devki Group of Companies to undertake mining operations within the ranch, clearing a major hurdle for the project.

The decision paves the way for the operationalisation of Devki’s Sh11 billion iron ore pelletisation plant, whose construction began in December 2024 in the Manga area of Taita Taveta County.

The pelletisation plant is expected to support downstream manufacturing, reduce imports of iron-based inputs and create hundreds of direct and indirect jobs once fully operational.

“This is an important milestone,” Kimtai said. “The decision by Kishushe shareholders reflects the community’s confidence in responsible, transparent and mutually beneficial mineral development that will unlock economic opportunities for the area.”

The meeting was attended by Taita Taveta leaders led by Governor Andrew Mwadime and Deputy Governor Christine Kilalo, alongside Members of Parliament Danson Mwashako (Wundanyi), Peter Shake (Mwatate), and Khamis Abdi Chome (Voi), as well as Kishushe MCA Newton Kifuso.

Mwadime urged leaders to set aside what he termed counterproductive politics that derail investments critical to industrialisation and employment creation in the county.

“Let this be a warning to selfish politicians – stop politicising investments that can transform our communities,” Mwadime said. “Economic growth and development should not be held hostage by narrow political interests. Taita Taveta’s progress is bigger than any individual agenda.”

Devki Group Executive Chairman and Founder Dr Narendra Raval Guru assured stakeholders that the company would strictly comply with the Mining Act and environmental regulations, pledging to conduct mining activities sustainably and ensure tangible benefits for the local community.

The Kishushe iron ore project is among several initiatives the government says are key to positioning mining as a pillar of Kenya’s industrial growth, as authorities tighten oversight to curb illegal practices and restore investor confidence in the sector.