Outcry over Najib Balala’s award of mine permit

Leaders have expressed anger over a decision by Mining Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala to award an exploration licence to Supreme Resources Kenya Limited.

This came after retired Chief for Mivumoni Location, Patrick Muli, presented a copy of a gazette notice approving the mining.

During a land stakeholders meeting at Matuga School of Government on Monday, Mr Muli said the areas identified for exploration were Msambweni, Matuga and Lungalunga.

“We want the legality of this document to be established. It is clear that the people of Kwale County have been conned,” he said.

Governor Salim Mvurya, Senator Boy Juma Boy, Lungalunga MP Khatib Mwashetani and several ward reps vowed to stop the project.

Mr Mvurya promised to write to the CS to revoke the licence and any other issued without consultation.

“Mr Balala cannot just make decisions without talking to leaders. We don’t want to hear of Supreme Resources or any other company,” the governor said.

He added that the Constitution emphasised on consultations whenever issues touching on resources arose.

“Leaders represent and speak for the people. If Mr Balala issued the licence, he should look for land elsewhere,” he said.

RALLY BEHIND

Senator Boy said Kwale residents would not accept to be taken for a ride by the national government.

He urged residents to rally behind the leaders whenever such matters arose.

“This land belongs to us and we are not going to allow anyone to take it away,” he said.

Mr Balala could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone was switched off.

At the same time, Mr Mwashetani asked the National Land Commission to speed up the resolution of land conflicts in Kwale.

The lawmaker expressed anger at the “slow pace” the NLC was doing its work.