By The Weekly Vision Team
Governor Fatuma Achani of Kwale County has criticised the national government for the delay in the disbursement of mineral royalties remitted by Base Titanium. She said that the royalties worth over Ksh 1.2 billion are critical for local development projects and community welfare, but have not been released as scheduled.
She said it was unfair to see that Base Titanium is winding up its operations in the area but no mineral royalties have been disbursed to the community by the national government. “It is unacceptable that throughout Base’s time here, no mineral royalties have been distributed despite the promises,” she said. Base Titanium Company acquired the Kwale Mineral Sands Project in 2010. Construction began in 2011, and mining on the Central Dune commenced in October 2013. The first product shipment left the Company’s dedicated Likoni port facility in February 2014.
The company primarily specialises in mining mineral sands, including zircon, rutile and ilmenite. The minerals are used in various everyday products such as paint pigments, refractory materials, titanium metal for aerospace and joint replacements, and tiles.
In 2023, the company relocated to the final mining blocks in Mafisini and Bumamani following a special mining lease extension, which extended operations through to the end of December 2024. Since the start of mining activities, the Sand harvesting company has been giving the national government a lot of money through taxes, licences and mineral royalties.
Achani described the delay as a grave injustice, noting that the people of Kwale are suffering at the expense of others. She pointed out that although minerals have been mined in Kwale, the local communities remain impoverished because they do not receive the direct benefits.
Achani also raised concern that this financial year, Kwale was to get Ksh. 600M as mineral royalties but was squashed in the national assembly. The governor said Kwale people won’t settle for less demanding immediate release of the funds. “We must receive what is rightfully ours. The national government must disburse this money because it is our entitlement,” she said. She said Kwale people are also Kenyans and deserve better like everyone else and receive the same treatment.
Achani said they have been very quiet on the issue but won’t accept a further delay in the disbursement of the mineral royalties. The governor called for immediate action from the national government to address the issue and ensure timely payments.
She warned that continued delays could undermine public trust and stall crucial development initiatives on mining in the near future. Achani said the locals would be afraid to give their land for mining since they didn’t benefit from the previous ones.
She urged the national government to resolve the matter swiftly and disburse the money before Base Titanium closes down business adding that it will support the county’s growth and well-being of the mining-affected communities. Achani also criticized the government for not keeping its promise in the development of the multi-billion Mwache dam project in Kinango.
She noted that it was agreed the project would include improvements to the roads from Mazeras to Kibaoni, but this commitment has not been honoured. Achani asserted that, as a leader, she will continue to advocate for the rights of her people.
