The US-Kenya proposed 8 trillion shillings rare earth and niobium mining partnership at Mrima Hill is set to take longer. This is after a lobby group filed a petition at the Kwale High Court seeking to suspend the preliminary agreement. The group argues that the deal was negotiated in secrecy, bypassing mandatory public participation, parliamentary oversight and involvement from the Kwale County Government. The petition also highlights environmental and cultural concerns, as Mrima Hill is a protected national monument and a sacred Kaya forest for the local Digo community.