Government, miners form joint committees to curb exploitation, protect communities
Communities were urged to cooperate with licensed firms, but were assured they would not be moved from their land without proper payment.
The State Department for Mining has struck an arrangement with mining companies to form joint steering committees at national and county levels, a measure officials say is intended to curb exploitation and ensure communities receive full compensation for land acquired for mineral projects.
The committees will oversee engagement between investors and residents and monitor compensation processes amid rising concern over displacement and environmental harm in mining zones.
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Communities were urged to cooperate with licensed firms, but were assured they would not be moved from their land without proper payment.
Principal Secretary for Mining, Harry Kimtai, told MPs and community representatives that the government is also fast-tracking the Mining (Mineral Royalty Sharing) Regulations to unlock Sh2.9 billion in royalties that have remained unissued in the National Treasury since 2016.
He spoke in Mombasa during a joint session with the National Assembly Environment, Forestry and Mining Committee, the Senate Lands, Environment and Natural Resources Committee, and representatives from mining communities organised by the Kenya Human Rights Commission.
“I was updating the joint committee that the revenue owed to counties will now be released following the passage of the revenue-sharing bill in Parliament,” said the PS.
He said the Treasury had already directed the ministry to tabulate dues owed to each county, adding that 10 per cent of the royalties earmarked for communities will be released once the regulations pass public scrutiny and are gazetted.
Kimtai noted that Kwale County will receive the largest allocation, with Sh1.5 billion due to the county and Sh880 million earmarked for host communities from revenue generated by Base Titanium.
He emphasised that all collected royalties are intact in the Consolidated Fund and will be disbursed once the legal framework is concluded.
To address environmental concerns, Kimtai reaffirmed that all mining firms are required by the National Environment Management Authority to deposit Environmental Protection Bonds to support land rehabilitation and reduce pollution risks.
He also called for sustained engagement with Community Development Agreement Committees and said collaboration with the Kenya Human Rights Commission would continue.
The MPs present caution that several operators are still flouting environmental and mining laws.
National Assembly Environment, Forestry and Mining Committee Chair Charles Kamuren accused some companies of harming local livelihoods and demanded a crackdown on unlicensed foreign-run sites.
He cited a cement plant in Rabai that resumed work without meeting Environmental and Social Impact Assessment requirements despite being closed last year.
Kamuren urged the government to enforce environmental compliance, ensure damaged infrastructure is repaired, and compensate residents whose land or water sources have been affected by mining activities.
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