It’s all about our minerals, Mvurya says about his detractors

Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya is accusing some individuals of plotting to oust him so that they can control mineral resources in the county.

Speaking in Kinango on Thursday, the governor appeared to suggest that the individuals, who he did not name, were from another county.

Mr Mvurya fell out with his counterparts Hassan Joho (Mombasa) and Amason Kingi (Kilifi) claiming they were behind a scheme to deny him the ODM ticket for the next General Election. He has since decamped to the Jubilee Party.

The governor said accusations that he was not loyal to the party were only a cover-up because the real reason behind his woes was the control of minerals at Mrima Hills. The area is said to be rich in Niobium and rare earth minerals, estimated to be worth in excess of Sh5.4 trillion.

“The Constitution has made it clear that every county should operate independently. We therefore cannot be independent if we will be listening to orders from other people,” Mr Mvurya said while addressing Muslim clerics from the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya, who have thrown their weight behind him.

During last weekend’s celebrations to mark ODM’s 10th anniversary at Mama Ngina Drive in Mombasa, Mr Joho and Mr Kingi warned Mr Mvurya that they would ensure he flops in his re-election bid for ditching ODM.

“My brother Mvurya, you will be the first to go,” said Mr Joho. “There have been several other defectors in the past who were voted out by the people. The governor has also claimed that we go to his county without informing him. Let me make it clear today that I will go to Kwale day or night whether you like it or not.”

ACCESS TO MINERALS

On his part, Mr Kingi said those who had defected to Jubilee Party, including Mr Mvurya, would be defeated the same way Jubilee’s candidate Philip Charo was defeated during the Malindi by-election.

According to Mr Mvurya, since the Cortec Mining Company licence was revoked in April 2013, he has been fought by people who want access to the minerals. Cortec was linked to late Nairobi businessman Jacob Juma.  

“All these other issues which people are talking about are just aimed at hoodwinking the masses, the real issue is about the minerals and they view me as a stumbling block,” he said.

The governor explained that before the issuance of licences for mining activities, he wanted the issue of radioactivity, compensation and revenue allocation to be sorted out.

He added that having asked the questions, he was sued for the first time together with the Land, Mining and Natural Resources executive Ali Mafimbo.

“We have been through hell but luckily enough we managed to win the case but the people who are loaded with money have never stopped fighting back,” he said.

MINING LICENCE

Mr Mvurya said that after losing the case in Kenya, his detractors decided to go to an American court but he, together with his deputy, refused to go.

He claimed that even before the issue has been sorted out, a new company from Mombasa now wants to sue him claiming to have mining licence for Mrima, Marenje and Dzombo areas in Lunga Lunga sub-county.

“I have also said no to this other company because if you remove Mrima, Marenje and Dzombo where will the residents go to because it is like a whole ward will have been taken,” he said.

The governor did not disclose the name of the company which is said to have the backing of powerful politicians and businessmen from three counties at the coast. He claimed that those who are interested in the mineral deposits want somebody who they can control.

“As a leader who is committed to serve my people, there is no way I will stoop so low as to be controlled by anybody,” he said.

He dismissed claims he was betraying his constituents in joining Jubilee Party saying his position has remained the same, and that there was no land which can be grabbed under his leadership.

He promised to continue serving the county residents who are currently being faced by a lot of challenges without any kind of discrimination be it religious or political.

“There are so many challenges facing us which needs to be addressed, therefore, my appeal to you is that you should not be carried away by political which you do not know,” he said.