County seeks to form new regulator for soapstone
What you need to know:
- The James Ongwae-led administration intends to set up a Soapstone Development Authority, which will operate as a county parastatal.
- Mr Apepo said least 90 per cent soapstone carvings are exported annually. He said 40 per cent of them are sold through trade fairs in America and Europe.
- The rep said as the county government explores ways of regulating the trade, it should also help the small-scale traders to get markets their products.
The Kisii County Government will establish an organisation to regulate the multi-million shilling soapstone industry, Tabaka ward rep Daniel Apepo has said.
The James Ongwae-led administration intends to set up a Soapstone Development Authority, which will operate as a county parastatal.
Speaker Kerosi Ondieki said it is not illegal for the county to set up a parastatal.
“Forming a county parastatal is not an illegality. We passed the Kisii Teaching and Referral Bill, which has been operationalised. What do you call that? Is it not a parastatal?” Mr Ondieki asked.
“The hospital is going to function independently, but would be funded by the National Government through the county government,” he said.
Mr Apepo said least 90 per cent soapstone carvings are exported annually. He said 40 per cent of them are sold through trade fairs in America and Europe.
DISORGANISED
The ward rep said it is necessary to establish an authority as the industry is operating in a disorganised manner.
“From the quarry owners, the miners, middle men, carvers, exporters and other players in chain, the industry has been operating without order,” he told the Nation yesterday.
“This is why we found it necessary to monitor the sector. We want to have an authority that would streamline operations,” MCA said.
Soapstone is a kind of stone that is soft and easy to work with. The stone comes in a variety of colours such as cream, lavender and black.
Vases, trays, food bowls and animals are curved from the stone and polished.
Majority of the art work is sold in malls and galleries in all parts of the country.
EXPLORE WAYS
The rep said as the county government explores ways of regulating the trade, it should also help the small-scale traders to get markets their products.
According to the Bill before that is before the county assembly, the authority will issue permits to all dealers.
The Bill calls for studies and examination of environmental impact of mining soapstone.
It also seeks the facilitation of training in mining as well as research in this field.
Last year, Governor Ongwae said his government intends to establish a soapstone industry in South Mugirango Sub-County to add value to the products.
