A mineral-rich forest in Lunga Lunga, Kwale County has become the recent cause of tension in the coastal county with residents raising fear over the exploitation of the trillions-worth rare earths.
The Mrima Hill complex, known to host one of the largest rare earths minerals globally, has drawn attention from potential investors, with two Australian firms recently applying for a permit through the National Mining Corporation (NAMICO) to prospect the rare earth elements, niobium, phosphate and manganese in the forest.
Speaking to journalists recently in Kwale, Mining Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai said several other companies had also applied for prospecting of the Hill, including Base Titanium, which is now completing its operations in Kwale County.
Residents say they’re not opposed to prospecting or mining, but investors must conduct due diligence by placing community concerns at the heart of any plan and provide proper compensation for any anticipated damage.
But Kaya elders in Kwale have expressed fear over losing their century-old traditions following the anticipated exploitation of niobium and other rare earth minerals found in Mrima Hill Forest in Lunga Lunga, Kwale County.
The elders and traditional medicine men say the forest includes up to seven shrines, commonly known as Kayas, and indigenous trees that have been used for more than 1,300 years to provide physical and spiritual treatment to locals in the area and beyond.
Ali Suleiman, National Chair for Traditional Healers and Herbalists, said elders and natural healers are now anxious over the possible loss of an important tool of their trade and culture.
He said before the government decides on who to be given the licence, locals should be at the centre of the negotiations that directly involve Mrima Hill.
According to him, the forest has indigenous trees, which, if destroyed, will be lost and not recovered.
“Before anything happens, we want to be close and give our ideas about this area that is a sanctuary to us. Our greatest fear is that any investor will not just work around the forest, but will have access deep into the forest where the trees and kayas are,” said Mzee Suleiman.
He said locals will not accept that the shrines be destroyed and kaya elders be blocked from accessing it as it is with several mining sites in the country.
“In case that there will be minerals that have to be mined, we want a section within the forest where we will practice our work and where can conserve our trees,” he added, saying most healers travel from far and wide to get the medicine from Mrima Hill Forest.
Masoud Suleiman Mwarizo, the vice chairperson of Kaya Mrima, said they are aware that the minerals are found where the shrines are located within the forest, and would not want the area to be tampered before approval of the locals.
“If there is an investor interested in the minerals, the government should let him or her (talk) to us, from then, we shall explain our demands and the required rites that they should obey before getting to destroy our places of worship,” said Mr Mwarizo.
He said elders would want to be compensated, as this will not only damage their spiritual work, but also indigenous trees that they have conserved for years and generations.
Besides the traditional, a majority of the locals have also raised concern over possible relocation from their ancestral land.
Mary Mwikali, said proper due diligence should be done by investors, who should not undercompensate for the land like it has been for other communities affected by mining.
Mrima Hill Community Forest Association (CFA), legal group responsible for conserving the forest, said they are alarmed with the number of people approaching as section of residents seeking their permits to access the forest.
“We have had people claiming to be from Mrima Hill Company, who came seeking for our consent and signatures for what was not clear to us. The exercise was also being pushed by some government officials. This is unacceptable,” he said.
“We have written a letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Mining to address our concerns and hope that he will be available to meet us.”
He said the government should put the interests of the residents first as it continues with its plans to exploit the minerals.
“We have always known that there are minerals here, but we formed this association with community members that protect and conserve this forest because of the direct benefits that we get from it such as clean air, rainwater for our farming activities and ecotourism,” said Mr Abdalla.
Dominic Mwarizo, a communications officer at Search for Common Grounds, a peacebuilding organisation, said the shrines are important in the locals’ culture.
“We understand that minerals and the forest are key resources for both the government and the people. Our aim is to promote harmony while making the locals aware so that they know how to benefit from the natural resources in line with the law,” said Mr Mwarizo.
Lunga Lunga Sub-county Assistant County Commissioner Robert Shunet said any activity concerning the gazetted forest will be done under the law.
He asked the locals to create groups that will help them strengthen their negotiations and gain from government opportunities.
Mr Kimtai, the Mining Principal Secretary, said several companies had applied for prospecting of the hill, and the government was willing to work with investors and at the same time have the communities benefit.
“We have a legal framework to support investors. We also work with communities to see that they support mining. The community will also not be left mining according to the Mining Act 2016,” said Mr Kimtai.
