Kenya, China in joint survey for minerals

By Tobias Chanji

Kwale, Kenya: The Kenyan and Chinese governments have entered into a partnership that will see the latter do a geo-mapping or airborne survey for minerals in all counties beginning next year.

Speaking at Kinango Secondary School on Saturday during the launch of the “Land Use and Resource Mapping Exercise” in Kwale County, Mining Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala said the Chinese government has equipment that would see the exercise succeed.

“After that underground survey it will be possible for us to know which minerals are there, their value and how much resources we have underground. The issue of claiming that Coast people are poor should be done away with,” he said.

While also hitting out at some of the disgruntled miners, Balala said it was high time Coast residents made independent decisions as county governments were in place.

“If we don’t plan we will remain poor and people will continue calling us lazy,” he said.

Balala told miners none of them would be allowed to extract minerals and leave locals poor. “It is better to remain with our resources than give them up and still be poor,” said Balala.

He told all investors in the mining industry that they would have to give a certain percentage to residents, county governments and the central government.

Alleviate poverty

Balala was accompanied by Governor Salim Mvurya, Principal Secretary Richard Ekai, Kwale Senator Juma Boy, County Woman Representative Zainab Chidzuga, executive officers Adam Sheikh (tourism), Athman Chigudzo (health), Joanne Nyamasyo (agriculture), Ali Mafimbo (land and mining) and ward representatives among other county leaders.

“Collaboration between counties and the central government is as critical as the Constitution dictates. To alleviate our people from poverty, they should also benefit from these resources,” said Mr Mvurya.

The cabinet secretary said the mapping exercise would have to involve the county governments.

He further stated that the resource mapping exercise would be done countrywide.

“If Kwale County would have been left to do the work alone through the tendering process then they would have spent Sh150 million but now it will cost only Sh21 million because the central government has the tools to do the work,” he added.

Balala also lashed out at leaders whom he said continue to accuse the central government of opposing county governments.

The amount of titanium in Kwale, if fully explored, is expected to contribute about 10 per cent of the global supply.