Task force proposes reopening of fluorspar company 10 years later

Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wesly Rotich received a 13-member task force report on the reopening of Kenya Fluorspar mining company that was closed 10 years ago. [Christopher Kipsang, Standard]

A task force appointed by Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wesly Rotich has proposed the reopening of a fluorspar company that was closed ten years ago.

The 13-member committee constituted a month ago, unanimously agreed that Kenya Fluorspar Company be revived as the government works on a compensation plan.

Joseph Kandie, the task force chair, said the company would offer jobs to thousands of locals besides rejuvenating businesses.

He said the locals are in a dire situation following the closure of the company which saw over 1,000 locals lose jobs, and several businesses and company-run schools close.

The team also said that since the company closed down, roads had become impassable due to the lack of maintenance that the company used to carry out.

Water supply in the region was also affected, pushing locals to move away from the inhabitable region.

"Kenya Fluorspar Company was the only source of living for over 2,000 locals. We used to see business, constant water supply and good road networks but since then, the region is inhabitable," the task force's report says.

The team noted that many people who had been affected by the closure had died due to depression when they were unable to service their loans.

Rotich said it had been difficult to broach the topic of reopening the company following unresolved injustices committed by the previous investor.

He said locals were subjected to arrests, harassment and opaque road-maps on compensations. He blamed this on cartels who used to divert the compensation from the ministry.

The governor lauded the locals for agreeing to the immediate reopening of the factory, saying the company is not only going to benefit the community but also the county government in terms of revenue.

"Today marks the beginning of a long journey of making Kenya fluorspar great again," he said.

The governor said they would meet the investor and officials from the Ministry of Mining led by Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya.

The county government's irreducible minimums include jobs for the locals, the reopening of Kenya Fluorspar Primary School and hospital road maintenance.

MCAs Jonah Tanui (Soy South) and Simon Chepseba (Soy North) said the reopening was long overdue and would boost the local economy.

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