By RENSON MNYAMWEZI
Taita Taveta, Kenya; Gemstone dealers in Taita Taveta County have supported Mining Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala in forming a taskforce to streamline the industry. They, however, opposed the revocation of mining licences by the minister.
“The formation of the taskforce to streamline the mining industry is in the right direction. We support reforms in the industry,” said the acting chairman of the Kenya African Miners Association (Kama) Joseph Mbiriri.
Speaking to The Standard in Taita Taveta where mining is highly concentrated, Mbiriri said the proposal to increase mining fees would discourage small-scale miners from effectively engaging in the multi-billion shillings mining enterprise.
Records show about 70 per cent of Kenya’s gemstone mining is carried out in the region but residents remained poor as “the mines benefit outsiders”.
Mbiriri, who is also the chairman of Kuranze Mining Community in Voi, said the Government should not rush to introduce new mining fees without consulting with stakeholders.
“We are major stakeholders in the mining industry and the Government should fully involve us. We fear that the proposed new fees will adversely affect the mining industry in the country and should not be implemented,” he added.
Locals feel shortchanged
The Government has proposed a rise in licence preparation fees from Sh250 to Sh30,000. Registration of mining claims had been raised from Sh100 to Sh10,000.
Under the proposed new fees, annual ground rent has been increased from Sh250 per square kilometre to Sh100,000 for locals.
Mbiriri said the Government move to increase the mining fees would lock many locals out of the business.
At the same time, smallscale miners in the region have commended Balala for revoking 40 mining licences, saying the move would ensure locals reap from minerals.
Led by Mwandawiro Mbela, the miners claimed locals had for years been deprived of their mining rights by companies from upcountry.
“Some of the mining companies have been exploiting locals,” he said.
