Blood gemstones of Tsavo: How famous British miner met his death

• Struggle for control of tsavorite mining operation may have led to murder

Events leading to the death of Mr Campbell Bridges, the British miner murdered in Kenya two weeks ago, point to an elaborate plan to gain control of the mining of rare and sought-after gemstones.

Mr Bridges’ son Bruce claims a fierce three-year battle for control of the mines of tsavorite -- the precious stone “discovered” by his father -- involving illegal mining, a politician and the local community preceded his death.

At the time of going to press, the area OCPD confirmed that one person suspected to be the leader of the gang that attacked Mr Bridges had been arrested.

The mines, leased to Campbell Bridges since 1971, had been attracting good money since 2003 from sales of tsavorite to jewellers and collectors in the United States and Europe.

Bruce Bridges told the Sunday Nation that certain people, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, tried to convince the owner of the ranch to strip Bridges of the mining rights and award them the lease to them instead.

Even though the ranch owner had a lease agreement with the Bridges, the people who wanted a piece of the action moved into the mines anyway.

“They (the illegal miners) did not leave. They operated several mines within a ranch on which the Bridges had legal mining rights,” said former area District Commissioner Kang’ethe Thuku, now stationed in Nakuru.

After going over the dispute, a newly appointed commissioner of mines ruled in favour of Bridges Exploration.

“But the businessman found another backer, a politician who whipped up emotions of the residents telling them the minerals belonged to the local people and anyone else benefiting from the minerals was an outsider,” the younger Bridges said.

Area Member of Parliament Calist Mwatela disputes Bruce Bridges’ claim, saying he did not know of any political interference with the activities of local businesses.

“There is no interference from any politician in the area. Businessmen are let to get on with their business as the law requires them to,” Mr Mwatela told the Sunday Nation.

Mr Bridges said that in September 2008, his father went to one of the illegal mines — their number had grown from three to five — to enquire whether they had received an eviction notice.

He said his father said he was threatened in the presence of other people, one of whom the elder Bridges said was a government official.

“We approached the district commissioner and the area OCPD to seek help in evicting the trespassers. They offered none. All we managed to do was register the death threat,” Bruce Bridges said.

Area police chief Herbert Khaemba said he received no such information and to date only knows of one death threat against Campbell Bridges.