Petroleum and Mining Cabinet Secretary John Munyes has halted the mining licenses processing for mineral rights in West Pokot County to allow for public participation and consultations to be done, and for all the leaders in the County to be engaged in the process.
This comes after an uproar from the elite and area leaders who have claimed that the County government sold land at seven areas-Kiwawa, Alale, Marich, Iyoni, Chepkobhee, Tamkal and Posilo in Ortum where there are minerals and where mining is expected to start.
The Ministry of Petroleum issued a 42 days gazette notice for locals to make any objections and some locals objected. Locals also complained over the lack of public participation on mining limestone, gold, zinc and copper, raising political temperatures in the County.
Initially Cemtech Company had been granted mining rights to start mining limestone deposits at Sebit area for the cement factory.
Speaking to the Press in Kapenguria, the CS dismissed claims about the selling of pieces of land to investors in the County. “The Cemtech investors applied for the mining rights but we have not given them,” he said. He said that all plans concerning mining in the County have been stopped till all stakeholders meet.
Munyes said Simba Cement Company, a new investor, will take over the work at Ortum Cement factory. “The agreement with the new investor is in high gear…We dealt with an old company but soon we’ll see cement factories in the County,” he said.
He encouraged the new investor to bring on board all leaders adding that minerals should benefit residents and develop the area.
West Pokot speaker Catherine Mukenyang assured locals that their land is intact and dismissed the rumors about selling land, saying that deposits are going to be prospected and mining will take place after all statutory procedures are adhered to.
However, some from the County led by lawyer Robert Katina said that the deal was done secretly without the involvement of locals. The claim is that there is no transparency in the mining deal between the County government and Cemtech investors who have applied for mining rights in the County.