National government urged to release Sh1.2bn in mining royalties

Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani has urged the national government to accelerate the release of Sh 1.2 billion in mining royalties owed to Kwale County by Base Titanium.

This number represents ten years' worth of mining profits from the company's operations in the region.

Base titanium will leave the country by December due to mineral depletion in the region.

Achani spoke during the inaugural ceremony of the Miguneni Early Childhood Education Centre in Kasemeni, Kinango.

She expressed unhappiness with the national legislature's decision to withdraw Sh 650 million from the 2024/2025 budget.

These payments were intended to be distributed to Kwale County as part of mining royalties.

"Despite Base Titanium's decade-long mining operations in Kwale, people have failed to reap any real advantages from these activities. Governor Achani noted that removing this money from the budget exacerbates the problem and weakens our county's economic development.

The Base Titanium firm expects to complete its mining activities by the end of this year.

The national government was supposed to furnish the county with mining royalties gradually. Governor Achani expressed his dissatisfaction with the national government's failure to distribute these royalties in Kwale County.

Residents in Kwale have also expressed their concerns about the situation.

"We've been waiting for this money for years, and it seems like we're being disregarded. We need these funds to improve our infrastructure and services," remarked resident Amina Juma.

The county government and inhabitants are waiting for the royal

The governor's request reflects a rising dissatisfaction among local leaders and communities, who believe that the advantages of mining should be distributed more directly to the areas most affected by these operations.