Bid to control mineral wealth opens new battlefront in Kitui

Kitui County Executive in charge of Environment, Energy and Minerals Investments Development George Mulatya (centre) [shares a word with his Chief Officer Dr Muusya Mwinzi (left) and a participant in Mwingi Wednesday during a county climate change workshop. [PHOTO:PHILIP MUASYA / STANDARD]

A new fight has erupted over the vast limestone deposits in Kitui County, following new regulations that, if effected, will see investors lease land and submit the funds to the county government.

The regulations, announced last week by George Mulatya, the county executive in charge of Environment, Energy and Mineral Investment Development, have drawn criticism from a section of the Kitui County assembly and residents who own property in limestone-rich areas.