Bamburi cement gives Mutomo families Sh6m

More than 300 families whose farms have limestone deposits in Mutomo District were this week given cash handouts by a cement company amounting to Sh6 million.

According to several farmers who spoke to the Daily Nation on Wednesday, the money was dished out by the State-owned East Africa Portland Cement, with each household getting Sh20,000.

Dubbed “disturbance allowances”, the cash to the poor families, who are currently facing starvation due to a prolonged drought in the area, kicked off early celebrations for the Christmas holiday.

Residents were given vouchers which they cashed at the Mutomo branch of the KCB as a token for allowing the firm’s officials to tour their farms.

“Agents for the State corporation told us that the cash gifts were disturbance allowances for tress passing on our farms seeking to open negotiations over the limestone deposits,” said Mr Kinyili Mwangangi one of the farmers.

He said the firm was keen on engaging locals in straight discussions on how they can lease their farms to extract limestone and build a cement factory.

EAPCC is the third cement firm to enter Mutomo District where it wants to stake claim to the huge limestone deposits.

Already, two other cement firms, Bamburi Cement and Athi River Mining have been laying ground to establish multi-billion cement factories in the arid district.

There were, however, mixed reactions over the move by the State firm with some leaders saying the tactic amounted to bribing farmers in advance to surrender their resource-rich farms.

Area MP Isaac Muoki said the cement firm was welcome like any other investor to in the area but warned that it should adhere to all relevant guidelines issued by various authorities including the Ministry of Local Government.

“We welcome as many investors because under such competition, the locals will be able to choose which firm has the best deal,” said Mr Muoki.

However, the County Council of Kitui told the firm to keep off the area until all pending court cases regarding the matter are concluded. Clerk, Mr George Wambua said engaging farmers at this time was in contempt of court as the area had been declared a no-go-zone to all investors and interested parties.

Efforts by the Daily Nation to get comments from the company’s headquarters were futile as the firm had closed business for the end year festivities.