Leaders of Kishushe Ranching Cooperative Society Limited (KRCSL) have issued a strong warning to cartels operating within the ranch, declaring that they will not bow to intimidation or allow illegal dealings to undermine investment and community benefits.
The warning was delivered during the society’s Annual General Meeting held on Friday at its headquarters in Kishushe, where members and stakeholders gathered to deliberate on key issues affecting the ranch.
Speaking during the meeting, KRCSL Secretary Wilfred Mwalimo said the cooperative is aware of the entrenched cartel networks in the mining sector and is prepared to confront them head-on.
“Mining all over the world has serious cartels who are very dangerous. They can even kill. We are not cowards and we are not going to be cowed by their intimidation,” he said.
Mwalimo’s remarks come amid growing concerns over illegal activities and extortion attempts linked to mining operations within the ranch, which has in recent years attracted significant investor interest due to its mineral potential.
He warned that the cooperative’s leadership would not tolerate any form of interference from individuals or groups seeking to exploit investors or disrupt lawful operations.
The secretary also put politicians on notice, cautioning against attempts to extort money from investors under the guise of facilitating access to the ranch.
According to Mwalimo, such practices not only scare away credible investors but also deny members the full benefits of their resources.He emphasized that the cooperative is committed to creating a safe and transparent investment environment where all stakeholders operate within the law.
Leaders linked the issue of cartels to past instability and stalled development within the ranch.
Mwalimo, however, noted that recent interventions by the government have helped restore order and enabled the ranch to resume normal operations.
“Whatever we are seeing today here, if it were not for the National government’s intervention, then maybe we could be talking a different story. They have been very supportive including the county government with zero interference into our issues,” he said.
He lauded the Ministry of Mining, as well as local leaders including the area Member of Parliament and Member of County Assembly, for their role in supporting the ranch’s transformation.
Despite these gains, the cooperative maintains that the fight against cartels is far from over and requires continued vigilance. Chairperson Matilda Waleghwa reinforced the leadership’s position, insisting that all investors must follow proper procedures and seek approval from members before conducting any business within the ranch.
“The law must be followed. If one needs to invest in our ranch, they must follow the stipulated laws,” said Waleghwa.
She warned against backdoor dealings, particularly those conducted in informal settings such as hotels, saying such arrangements often benefit cartels at the expense of shareholders.
Waleghwa stressed that the cooperative has put in place clear structures to guide investment and governance, leaving no room for unauthorized transactions.
The leadership said the adoption of new policies during the AGM, including governance, procurement and ethics frameworks, is part of a broader strategy to seal loopholes that cartels have historically exploited.
Mwalimo noted that these reforms are designed to institutionalize the ranch and ensure that all operations are conducted transparently and professionally.
“All these policies are not just passed for the sake of having them. We pass them because we want to institutionalize this ranch. We want to put proper structures. Not Structures for us, but structures for ourselves and the generations to come,” he said.
Members at the AGM unanimously supported the leadership’s stance, signaling a collective commitment to protect the ranch from external interference.
At the same time, the cooperative is seeking to strengthen mechanisms that ensure communities benefit from mining activities, which leaders say is key to reducing vulnerability to exploitation.
Mwalimo called on the Attorney General to fast-track the gazettement of the Community Development Agreement Committee (CDAC), which is expected to oversee the distribution of benefits to local communities.
“The process was done legally and the names were submitted to the Ministry of Mining. Both the PS and the CS completed their work. The names were forwarded to the AG. We call upon to the Attorney General of Kenya that they have to fast track the gazettement of the CDAC committee in Kishushe. I don’t know why it taking too long. Our people are suffering and children are supposed to report to school,” he said.
“We are requesting the Attorney General of the Republic of Kenya to make sure that the CDAC committee in Kishushe is Gazzetted immediately, probably, if possible, even by Wednesday next week,” he added.
Leaders argue that empowering the community through formal structures will help reduce reliance on informal networks often controlled by cartels. With renewed backing from members and support from government agencies, the cooperative says it is determined to safeguard its resources and ensure that development benefits reach the rightful stakeholders.
