Kwale

Governor Achani Blocks Mrima Hills Mining Over Silenced Community Voices

By Feddy Madebe

Kwale County has announced it will not participate in the proposed Mrima Hills mining project, citing failure by the Ministry of Mining and Blue Economy to engage county leadership and affected communities in the decision-making process.

ALSO READ: KCSE 2025 Rankings: Top 21 Schools Revealed as Moi High Kabarak Leads Nationally

Kwale Governor, Hon. Fatuma Achani. Photo Credit – Fatuma Achani Facebook

Governor Fatuma Achani, through her Deputy Governor Hon. Josphat Chirema Kombo, delivered the county’s position during a consultative meeting held Friday, January 9, 2026, at the Kenya School of Government in Matuga.

County Demands Inclusive Consultation

CS Mining and Blue Economy Hon. Ali Hassan Joho Addresses The Mrima Project Meeting

“Kwale County fully supports development, but we will never support development that is imposed on our people,” Governor Achani stated following the meeting.

The governor emphasized that residents of LungaLunga and surrounding areas must be heard before any mining activities proceed at Mrima Hills, noting that their land, environment, heritage, and livelihoods face direct impact from the proposed project.

“These concerns cannot be brushed aside in boardrooms,” she added.

Ministry Convenes Stakeholder Meeting

The meeting was convened by the Ministry of Mining and Blue Economy to discuss the proposed Mrima Hills mining project. Deputy Governor Kombo represented Governor Achani at the consultative forum.

Msambweni MP, Hon Bader Attended The Meeting (Credits Achani Facebook)

According to the county leadership, the Ministry has proceeded with planning without meaningful engagement of either county authorities or the communities that would be most affected by mining operations.

County Takes Firm Stand

“As a County, we shall not be part of the Mrima Hills mining project because the Ministry of Mining has neither involved the County leadership nor the people affected,” Governor Achani declared.

The Mrima Hills area, located in Kwale County’s Matuga constituency, has been identified as containing valuable mineral deposits. However, the county government’s withdrawal of support signals potential obstacles for the project’s advancement without broader stakeholder consensus.

The standoff highlights ongoing tensions between national development initiatives and local governance structures, particularly regarding projects with significant environmental and social implications for host communities.