Sifuna demands transparency over Mrima Hills mining project, questions benefits to Kwale residents

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 31 – Linda Mwananchi Movement party leader Edwin Sifuna has demanded full disclosure of the proposed Mrima Hills mining project in Kwale, accusing the government of failing to assure residents that they will benefit from the exploitation of the area’s mineral resources.

Sifuna said all mining agreements and contracts should be made public, arguing that communities in mineral-rich areas must know the terms under which investors are allowed to operate and how the benefits will be shared.

“Furthermore, all mining contracts must be made public. Base Titanium operated here for over 12 years and left without the community receiving its promised project funds,” he said.

He questioned what had been agreed between the government and prospective investors seeking to exploit the minerals at Mrima Hills, insisting that residents had a right to know what was contained in the proposed arrangements.

The proposed project, located at Mrima Hill in Lunga Lunga, involves the extraction of niobium and rare earth minerals, which are used in industries including aerospace, electronics and electric vehicle manufacturing.

Sifuna questioned whether the government had adequately addressed concerns raised by residents over land ownership, compensation and the sharing of revenue from the proposed mining activities.

He also raised concerns over land titles in the area, claiming that some residents held documents covering smaller portions of land than the areas they actually occupied.

He argued that the government should address the historical land ownership disputes before allowing new mining activities to proceed, warning that residents could lose their land without receiving adequate compensation.

The project has attracted interest from international mining companies, with five bidders submitting proposals on October 21, 2026, according to Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho.

The bidders include two American consortia, a US-linked group, an Australian consortium and a Kenyan-British joint venture. Two Chinese companies withdrew from the process, leaving five contenders in the race.

Joho has said the government expects to award the project to the successful bidder within two to three weeks, adding that the selection would be guided by national interests and a transparent process.

The mineral deposit is believed to contain tens of billions of dollars’ worth of rare earth minerals and niobium, although the estimated value of the resources should not be confused with the amount the government or local communities will ultimately earn from the project.

Sifuna’s concerns come against the background of previous mining operations in Kwale, where Base Titanium operated the Kwale Mineral Sands project for more than a decade.

The company has previously been involved in community development arrangements, including agreements signed with local communities in 2021. However, Sifuna claimed that residents had not received the benefits they were promised, questioning whether the proposed Mrima Hills project would deliver a different outcome.

He insisted that the interests of residents should take precedence over those of investors, arguing that the community should not be left out of decisions involving resources found on their land.

“Sisi hatuna haja na mwekezaji. Sisi tuna haja na mwananchi wa Kwale,” he said, meaning that the priority should be the people of Kwale rather than investors.

The Linda Mwananchi leader also challenged Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho and Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani to explain what they had done to address the concerns of residents affected by previous mining operations.

He accused the Ruto administration of assuming that it had secured political support in the Coast region following the appointment of leaders from the area to senior government positions.

Sifuna said the region should not be taken for granted, claiming that residents were prepared to vote out the administration in the 2027 General Election.

He also used the rally to criticise President William Ruto over his handling of human rights concerns, saying development projects should not be used to excuse violations of the right to life.

Referring to the death of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody in June 2025 after being arrested in Homa Bay, Sifuna questioned how the President could celebrate development while Kenyans continued to lose their lives under questionable circumstances.

Ojwang was arrested in Homa Bay and transferred to Nairobi, where he died while in police custody at Central Police Station.

Sifuna questioned whether the President would be able to visit new markets or attend major sporting events, including matches at the Talanta Stadium, without addressing concerns over the protection of citizens.

“Development means nothing once a life is taken,” he said.

He further argued that the Constitution places obligations on elected leaders regardless of the size of their electoral victory, saying even a leader who wins by a landslide must respect and defend the country’s supreme law.

Sifuna said leaders who fail to understand their constitutional responsibilities should step aside rather than undermine the rights of citizens.

On the opposition’s preparations for the 2027 elections, he called for the formation of a united front capable of challenging Ruto, arguing that opposition leaders needed to agree on a single candidate.

He claimed that residents in Kwale wanted him to contest the presidency, urging opposition leaders to listen to the views emerging from the grassroots as they negotiate their political strategy.

Sifuna has increasingly positioned the Linda Mwananchi Movement as a vehicle for his political ambitions following his exit from the Orange Democratic Movement, where he served as Secretary-General for eight years.

The movement unveiled its proposed national leadership on October 30, with Sifuna named party leader and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya assigned to lead its presidential campaign. The proposed appointments are due to be presented to the movement’s National Delegates Convention on November 13 for approval.