Mineral-rich counties accused of interfering with industry

By STANLEY MWAHANGA

Mombasa, Kenya: The Kenya Chamber of Mines (KCM) has accused county governments of interfering with the development of the mining industry in Kenya.

KCM Chairman Adiel Gitari said counties with mineral deposits were coming up with ways to legislate them even though the Constitution clearly states they are resources under the authority of the national government.

Gitari who was addressing lawyers at a workshop in Mombasa on Sunday over emerging opportunities in the mining industry said even though counties represent communities’ interests, they were taking their mandate too far by coming up with laws to govern natural resources in counties.

He noted that county governments were fast becoming the biggest hurdles the mining sector is facing.

According to Gitari, the mineral resources are under the national government and in the proposed sharing of minerals benefits, the state takes the lion’s share.

The remaining five per cent is supposed to be utilised by the community through its small administrative unit, according to the chamber’s proposal.

The national Government is supposed to rake in 75 per cent of the proceeds, while the counties are only entitled to 20 per cent.