By Wagema Mwangi
Kilifi County is set to receive Sh950 million from the national government, representing its cumulative share of royalties collected from licensed multi-billion-shilling investments in the region.
Salim Mvurya, the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, said the money had been allocated in the budget following the completion of computations for the shareable amount to counties from mining proceeds.
“Kilifi County is set to receive an additional Sh950 million in revenue from mining activities. This money can be used to improve facilities and help the county streamline service delivery,” he said.
Speaking in Nyari, Ganze, the CS said the Mining Act of 2016 had adopted the mining royalty sharing formula, with 70% of total royalties going for the national government, 20% to the county, and 10% to the communities in the mining areas.
An additional 1% of the gross total sales from a mining investment goes to fund projects under the framework of Community Development Agreement Committees.
Based on the value and volumes of minerals exploited by investors, the CS disclosed that 1% of the total gross sale might translate to hundreds of millions.
He said that Kenya’s mineral endowment was primarily meant to help uplift communities and better the lives of residents where the minerals were located.
The Nyari meeting was also attended by Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro, Ganze MP Tungule Charo and Members of the County Assembly. The national government officials in the county, led by the County Commissioner Josephat Biwott were also present.
Mr Mung’aro said the county would use the revenue from mining royalties to primarily develop social amenities, infrastructure and public facilities for communities in the mining areas of Ganze, Mtondia and Kitengeni.
He said the money would establish a 50-bed capacity hospital at Kitengeni and expand facilities at Bamba and Kalolenyi.
“The county will plough back this money to improve facilities and amenities in most of these mining areas where the royalty comes from. From hospitals, to roads and classes, this money will transform our people’s lives,” he said.
However, a section of Nyari communities represented by officials of the Nyari Community-Based Organisation (CBO) expressed their reservations about a proposed titanium mining project, citing obscurity and scant details.
Mr Peter Fondo, the CBO’s secretary, said the community members had several unaddressed concerns over the project. He added that uncertainties over issues of land use, potential disruptive impact and opaqueness in some of the activities touching on the project had made residents wary of the mining investment.
“We are not fully involved yet this project is meant to be undertaken where we live. Villagers are not aware of what is going to happen with their land and lives. We need to know so that we can make informed decisions,” said Fondo.
While acknowledging the communities’ right to be involved in such mega projects, the CS reiterated the role of public participation in avoiding future disruptions of mining operations.
He clarified that the Nyari community’s apprehension towards the investor arose from misinformation on what the project entailed. He said that the investor would not be engaged in any mining activity contrary to widespread claims.
“The investor has a prospecting license. They are here to search for minerals, establish the location and if those minerals are commercially viable. There is no displacement or land being taken away” he explained.
