Mining firm ejected from disputed land
What you need to know:
- However, last week, the Commissioner of Mines and Geology renewed the permit without the landowners’ consent, contrary to an earlier directive by the Mining Cabinet Secretary, Mr Najib Balala.
- Ms Matilda Waleghwa, a resident, said they had moved into the land to protect it from grabbers who were being assisted by some of their elected leaders.
Amining company has been thrown out of a piece of land it had illegally occupied for over two decades.
Wanjala Mining Company was ejected by the local community a week after the government renewed its licence.
The problem started last week, when more than 400 people invaded the farm and divided it among themselves.
This was after the National Land Commission wrote to the governor, indicating that the place the locals had called home for many years had been allocated to the firm.
The company’s licence was suspended by the Mining ministry in August last year, when it was discovered that it had been issued illegally.
The firm was directed to seek the landowners’ consent before the licence could be renewed.
GRABBERS
However, last week, the Commissioner of Mines and Geology renewed the permit without the landowners’ consent, contrary to an earlier directive by the Mining Cabinet Secretary, Mr Najib Balala.
Angry residents told the local leaders, including Governor John Mruttu, they would not relent in their fight for their rights, saying the Constitution expressly allowed them to do so.
Ms Matilda Waleghwa, a resident, said they had moved into the land to protect it from grabbers who were being assisted by some of their elected leaders.
“Our governor and MP have let us down. They are on the side of our tormentors, who want to block us from acquiring a title deed,” she said.
Mr Danson Koronge, another local resident, accused the county government of being irresponsible in its handling of the land dispute.
