09/01/2026
KWALE COUNTY DEPUTY GOVERNOR WALKS OUT OF CS JOHO’S MEETING IN PROTEST OVER MRIMA MINING DEAL
Friday, January 9, 2026
Kwale County Deputy Governor Josphat Chirema Kombo angrily walked out of a meeting organized by the Ministry of Mining and Blue Economy, led by Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho, on Friday at the Kenya School of Government, Matuga Campus.
The meeting, which aimed to deliberate on the proposed Mrima Hills mineral mining project valued at approximately Sh8.1 trillion in Lunga Lunga Sub-County, brought together Members of Parliament, Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), and senior Kwale County officials.
The Deputy Governor who was accompanied by Pongwe–Kikoneni MCA Omar Mwaduga and Vanga MCA Yusuf Mbwana, accused the organizers of attempting to force local leaders to accept the mining deal without adequate public participation.
Speaking to journalists outside the GTI conferencing hall, Deputy Governor Chirema Kombo faulted Cabinet Secretary Joho for what he termed as sidelining and humiliating Kwale leaders.
“We cannot sit in a meeting where leaders are being intimidated and denied a chance to air the concerns of the people they represent. This process is flawed and disrespectful to the leadership of Kwale County,” said Chirema.
He maintained that the county government would not support the mining of Mrima minerals unless the concerns of residents are addressed.
“Kwale County will not accept the mining of Mrima minerals until the National Government listens to the voices and cries of our leaders and wananchi. Development cannot be imposed on people,” he added.
Pongwe–Kikoneni Ward MCA Omar Mwaduga and Vanga Ward MCA Yusuf Mbwana backed the Deputy Governor’s position, insisting that they would not allow residents to be marginalized in a project of such magnitude.
“We were elected to protect the interests of our people, and we will not allow them to be oppressed or excluded from decisions that directly affect their land and livelihoods,” said MCA Mbwana
Mrima Hills has now become one of the regions in the globe to have the Rare Earth Minerals, consisting of Niobium deposits.
