Republic of Kenya

MINISTRY OF MINING

PRESS STATEMENT ON APPOINTMENT OF A TASKFORCE TO ADVICE ON

ISSUES SURROUNDING MINING AT KISHUSHE AREA IN TAITA/TAVETA
COUNTY BU MINING CABINET SECRETARY HON. NAJIB BALALA
The Mining Cabinet Secretary Hon. Najib Balala, has appointed an eight-member Taskforce
to advice on issues surrounding mining at Kishushe area in Taita/Taveta County. In exercise of
powers conferred on him by Section 92 of the Mining Act, the Mining CS made the
appointments through Kenya Gazette Notice No.5437 which take immediate effect from the
date of the notice, Monday 27th July 2015.
The Taskforce will be has been tasked with the responsibility of identify legality and
legitimacy of claims by interest groups and their leaders, the historical issues and claims,
boundaries and issues causing conflicts between the mining communities and miners.
The formation of the taskforce has been occasioned by the fact for the last three (3) years
mining of iron ore at Kishushe in Taita/Taveta county has stopped due to an ongoing row
between the community and mineral rights holders,. This has effectively stopped exports of
iron ore as well as occasioned unemployment in the area.
The prices of iron ore have dropped from a high of 200 dollars to a low of, on average 45
dollars. The Government is concerned that these disputes affect, not only the Kenya as a
country, but also the peoples livelihood.
We therefore cannot afford to continue with disputes which continue to linger on without
being resolved. Accordingly, the membership of the Taskforce, which will be chaired by
Ibrahim Khamis, have been appointed from representatives of the mining community, the
county as well as the relevant Government agencies.
Terms of Reference for the Taskforce, issued for general information to members of the
public, are;

To document and review the organization of mining communities within the area to

identify legitimacy and legality of interest groups and their leaders;

To document and review mining boundaries and claims on the same and establish their

legitimacy and legality;

To document and review history and status of mineral rights holders in the area and

their relationship with mining communities;

To identify and make findings on issues, factors and actors underlying conflicting

community perceptions on mining in Kishushe; and

To make proposals to the Cabinet Secretary for Mining on or before 30 th October,
2015.

The Taskforce is required to submit its report to the cabinet secretary for mining on or before
30th October, 2015.
The Kishushe Mining Taskforce members are;
Chair
1) Ibrahim Khamis
Members
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)

Kenneth Mwaita
Justus Irina (Prof.)
Leonard Omullo
Jonathan Chivatsi
Mary Mungai

Taita Taveta County Government

Taita Taveta University
National Land Commission
Taita Taveta County
Commissioner of Co-operative Development, Ministry

Resident-Taita Taveta County

Ministry of Mining

of Industrialization
Joint Secretary
7) Swaleh Kanyeki
8) Thomas Mutwiwa