Dispute looms as Taita-Taveta County leaders reject State's allocation of mining licence

Taita-Taveta County government has opposed the national government's plans to give a mining firm an exclusive gemstone prospecting licence.

The county administration has told the acting Commissioner of Mines and Geology Shadrack Kimomo not to consider the application made by Rolling Hills Limited.

"The county government categorically objects to the exclusive prospecting licence being issued to the applicant and hereby instructs the Commissioner of Mines by virtue of this letter not to consider the application," said Deputy Governor Mary Ndiga Kibuka in her letter to the commissioner dated January 22.

She added: "The stand of the county government is justified by the Constitution which recognises first that though minerals belong to the national government, mineral activity must be for the benefit of the people of Kenya and especially the people resident in the potential mining area," said the letter obtained by The Standard.

Ms Kibuka, who is in charge of the lands and mining docket in the county, said the Constitution calls for consultations.

"The Mining Act also specifically requires that the direct consent of a land owner be sought before any application for prospecting and/or mining can be considered. In this particular case, the area described falls within the privately registered Maungu and Kasigau ranches," she said.

The deputy governor said the management of the two ranches has also distanced themselves with the said application as they had not been approached by the applicant and had not consented to the activities.

Senator Dan Mwazo, Woman Representative Joyce Wanjala Lay and several county assembly members have vowed to stop the company from mining in the region.

"The land earmarked for allocation is community land and we will not allow the locals to be deprived of their land," warned Mwazo.

Sunday, the senator warned the national government to "stop provoking the local community" who have for many years been deprived of their mining rights by few powerful individuals who control the multi-billion shillings mining business.

Mwazo asked the county government to take legal action to stop the issuance of the prospecting licence.

"The county administration should go to court to put a caveat to stop the allocation process," said Mwazo.