Mining conflicts in Taita Taveta have led to deaths, inquiry told
Mrs Mary Nduku (left) and her daughters on August 22, 2016testify before KNCHR how her land was grabbed by a mining investors at Kamtonga in Mwatate, Taita Taveta County. The inquiry has been told that mining conflicts in the county have led to deaths and suffering. PHOTO | LUCY MKANYIKA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- On Tuesday Mr Luka Kitumbi told the inquiry how his son was killed in cold blood in 2010.
- He narrated how the family noticed traces of Tsavorites in their farm in 2009.
- He said his house was then attacked by armed robbers who killed his 17-year-old son and seriously injured his wife.
- On Monday Governor John Mruttu warned that the county government will not issue mining consent to such investors.
Mining conflicts in Taita Taveta County have led to suffering and loss of lives in the area, an inquiry has been told.
Historical grievances over land in the mining zones are the main cause of conflicts which have led to the deaths of many residents of Kamtonga in Mwatate Sub County.
Speaking on the second day of an inquiry into allegations of human rights violations in the county's mining zones, victims called for action as they narrated their tribulations and those of their kin.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNHCR) has instituted the inquiry with the hearings being held at Kamtonga AIC Church in Mwatate.
On Tuesday Mr Luka Kitumbi told the inquiry how his son was killed in cold blood in 2010.
He narrated how the family noticed traces of Tsavorites in their farm in 2009.
And that is where his troubles started, he said.
Mr Katumbi said he then decided to start mining but when he reported to the Ministry of Mining offices in Wundanyi for them to peg his farm as a mine, he was informed that an investor had already applied for a licence for that piece of land.
LAND NOT MINE
“The then district geologist wrote a letter to me stating that the land was not mine and I should give way for the investor to start his mining.
“I declined to move out because my father had been farming in this piece of land since 1970,” he said.
He said his house was then attacked by armed robbers who killed his 17-year-old son and seriously injured his wife.
During the attack, according to Mr Kitumbi, minerals worth Sh2 million were stolen.
“My wife was shot in the ribs which affected her health. She can no longer bear children.
“The thugs were targeting to kill me but fortunately I was not at home on that particular day,” he said.
MINING RIGHTS
He said although the court had ruled that the land belongs to him, it is yet to rule whether the mining site belongs to him or the investor.
The chairperson of the inquiry, Kagwiria Mbogori, asked Mr Kitumbi to forward documents of his case to the team.
“Kindly give us the OB number of your case for us to follow it up. It might be you are the owner of the piece of land but you don’t own the mining rights,” she said.
The team will Wednesday continue receiving evidence at Kamtonga and then move to Kasigau on Thursday.
Cases of sexual harassment were reported in the area where women accused one mining company of inserting figures in their private parts, claiming that they might hide gemstones there.
On Monday Governor John Mruttu warned that the county government will not issue mining consent to such investors.
