Task force seeks to resolve limestone project row

By Joseph Masha

A task force is expected to meet on October 24 to discuss the controversial planned take over of 500 acres of residential land at Mwarakaya location by Athi River Mining Company.

The task force to be chaired by Chonyi DO Wilfred Sigei will involve stakeholders including representatives of the land targeted for the project, political and religious leaders and other officers from relevant government ministries and officials of the company.

“We have agreed as stakeholders that we hold a consultative meeting in my office on October 24 to deliberate on the issue and arrive at a better solution to avoid conflicts,” said Mr Sigei in Kilifi on Tuesday.

The task force was formed after residents of the targeted land vowed to resist eviction to allow limestone mining in the area over claims that the company had not consulted them.

The villagers who came to know about the plan on the land on October 8 declined to attend a meeting with senior officials of the company headed by Managing Director Pradeep Paunrana

Led by Mr Hamza Ziro and village elder Stephen Ngala, the victims from Mitulani, Danicha, Mbuyuni and Mwarakaya villages said they did not want any negotiations with the company as they were not ready to sell or lease their land.

“Residents of Mwarakaya location are opposed to the secret plans by the company, to take up our land for limestone mining,” said Mr Ngala.