Governor accused of denying mining company licence

By Robert Kiplagat

Baringo, Kenya: Residents of diatomite-rich areas in East Pokot, Baringo County want the county government to allow a Chinese investor to commence mining activities in the area.

Tuesday, residents of Kositei held a demonstration to protest against an alleged delay to authorise the Chinese investor to start excavating the mineral.

Led by Ripkwo/Kositei MCA Daniel Tuwit, the residents said the area governor has been dilly-dallying with the signing of an agreement that will enable the investors to commence the mining activities.

The governor is said to have told the residents that he has not approved the project because the county plans to set up a conservancy at the site of the proposed mine.

The residents have, however, dismissed this as a delaying tactic, saying the county boss could be looking for his ‘own’ investor.

“The Chinese investor is ready to start mining operations but the Governor has  using some delaying tactics to ensure the project does not take off. We no longer have faith in him as he now seems to be having a hidden agenda on the diatomite mining,” said Tuwit.

Recently, the governor held a series of closed door meetings with Pokot elders at Kenya School of Government (KSG) over the diatomite issue.

The locals had expressed hope that the 2,000-acre diatomite mine discovered recently in the area would improve their livelihoods and end perennial cattle rustling in the area.

The mineral covers 10 villages in the district namely, Katikit, Kopoluk, Relmu, Napanakwiara, Chemsik, Kositei, Dong’e, Chesoton and Chepochogom.

Tuwit said if approved, the project is expected to create jobs for over 600 youth.

“This mineral could be bring lasting peace between the Pokot and neighbouring communities as youth who have been jobless will have something productive to do,” said Tuwit.

Source of revenue

The MCA reiterated that the resource will also be a key source of revenue for the county government.

Contacted for comment, Deputy Governor Mathew Tuitoek defended the governor, saying that while the process of giving the investor a license is under way, they also must resolve the raging boundary issue in the region.

“There have been deliberations between the investor and the county government  and we support the project as it will have an economic impact on the economy of our people,” said Tuitoek.

He said the county had decided to set up a wildlife conservancy to serve as a buffer zone between Baringo North and East Pokot, adding that boundary surveyors were already on the ground to sort out the issue.

He urged the two communities to resolve the boundary dispute to enable the project to proceed.

Diatomite is also present in parts of the neighbouring Baringo North District.

Meanwhile, Baringo Women Representative Grace Kiptui has hailed the ongoing security operations in the country aimed at flushing out criminals and illegal immigrants.

Speaking during a tour of the county, Kiptui said the operation should continue until all suspected Al-Shabaab sympathisers and financiers are apprehended.

“If what the police are engaging in is the only way to ensure that Kenya becomes a terrorism-free society, so be it. A lot of citizens have lost their lives in previous attacks and it is time for a lasting solution to be found,” said the MP.

Human rights

However, the MP at the same time asked the police and other Government organs participating in the operation to respect human rights while trying to restore order in the country.

“Those found to have been in the country illegally have no option but to be deported to their home countries. It is time we stand together as a nation and fight such criminal element to the bitter end,” she added.

She said citizens should be provided with a conducive environment to participate in nation building and this can only happen if there is security.

In September last year, members of an Al-Shabaab terror cell stormed Nairobi’s Westgate Shopping Complex, killed dozens of people and left over 100 injured.

And in February this year, at least one person was killed and two security officers seriously injured in Mombasa after police stormed a mosque.

The terror group, which is said to have links to Al-Qaeda, has demanded that President Uhuru Kenyatta withdraws Kenyan troops, which are part of an African Union-backed peacekeeping mission in Somalia, from the country.

Over a thousand people have been arrested since the Government launched a security sweep to  flush out illegal immigrants from the country following a recent terrorist attack in Eastleigh.