By Caroline Katana
A section of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Kwale County has threatened to move to court over the management and distribution of the recently released 20 percent mining royalties, citing concerns over transparency, accountability and community participation.
According to Kwale Mining Alliance (KMA) Deputy Coordinator Mahmoud Baroh, communities living in mining-affected areas feel sidelined despite bearing the environmental and social impacts of mining activities.
Baroh said more than 250 residents have signed a petition that has been submitted to the County Assembly of Kwale, demanding greater accountability in the allocation of mining revenue.
Kwale Mining Alliance deputy coordinator Mahmoud Baroh
Baroh particularly questioned the decision to allocate Ksh124 million for the upgrading of Kinondo Polytechnic.
He further noted that the allocation was later reduced to Ksh113 million without a clear explanation, adding that community representatives only learned of the change through a Member of County Assembly (MCA).
“The amount allocated to the polytechnic does not reflect the priority needs of local residents. We have consistently raised issues of healthcare, roads, water and livelihoods. These are the priorities of the people on the ground,” said Baroh.
He warned that CSOs are prepared to pursue public interest litigation if authorities fail to address the concerns raised by affected communities.
Baroh also criticized the formula used by the county government to distribute royalty funds across wards, arguing that communities directly affected by mining were not adequately consulted during the decision-making process.
“The issue is not that there is no development taking place, but that communities living with the impacts of mining are not meaningfully involved in deciding how these resources are used,” he said.
Baroh called for greater transparency, regular public engagement and a more inclusive approach to decision-making to ensure mining revenues address the most pressing needs of affected communities.
He maintained that communities hosting mining operations should play a central role in determining development priorities funded through royalty allocations
He spoke during a consultative meeting convened by KMA that brought together representatives from Kinondo, Kinango, Mrima and other mining-affected areas.
The meeting reviewed a three-month community monitoring report and discussed concerns surrounding the management, allocation and utilization of mining royalties.
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