The leadership of Kishushe Ranching Cooperative Society Ltd has issued an ultimatum to the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, demanding the immediate removal of eight mining investors who allegedly entered their land without proper consent from members.
In a statement presented during a press briefing in Voi on Wednesday, the cooperative’s secretary, Wilfred Mwalimo, called on Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho to intervene and address what they termed as illegal consents, cadaster obstruction, and unlawful entry by investors into Kishushe Ranch land.
“We have written letters to the ministry of mining, county government, including our members of parliament concerning what is taking place in the Kishushe Ranching Cooperative Ltd. As the leadership and members of the ranch, we shall stand firm until things are done right,” Mwalimo declared.
The ranch leadership specifically named eight companies allegedly illegally listed in the cadastre to operate within their land including the Devki Steel Mills Ltd, Mawingu Mining Limited Company, Jiu Jiu Gui Zhen Group Limited, Mema Garnets Company Limited, Pacific Industrial Energy Limited, Catherine Kariuki, Murangiri Gems Africa, and Isaak Mwabili Test Company.
According to the cooperative, none of these entities obtained the required consent from ranch members as stipulated under the Mining Act 2016.
The controversy centers on Devki Steel Mills Ltd, a major investor that is constructing a palletization plant in Manga. While the ranch leadership expressed appreciation for Devki’s investment in the county, they raised serious concerns about the company’s alleged attempt to control the entire mining value chain without following proper legal procedures.
Mwalimo explained that the cooperative has observed a disturbing pattern where the Ministry of Mining appears to be validating illegal consents instead of upholding the requirement of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent from rightful landowners as stipulated under the Mining Act 2016, the Community Land Act, the Cooperative Societies Act, and Environmental and Social Safeguards Principles.
“We don’t understand how the ministry of mining, blue economy and maritime affairs led by CS Hassan Joho allowed them to enter the ranch without members’ consent,” Mwalimo stated, adding that if investors claim to have consent, the committee has never been called to any meeting or Special General Meeting to ratify or approve their entry.
Matilda Waleghwa, the cooperative’s chairperson, noted that only two investors, Archers Post Investment and Universal Mineral Explorers, followed due process and obtained proper consent from members.
She expressed surprise that Devki appears in the cadaster seeking licenses without ever attending their meetings or SGMs.
“We don’t want to be looked down upon, and we don’t want to fight with anyone, hence we need to know who gave the consent,” Waleghwa said.
The ranch leadership also raised concerns about monopolistic practices and economic exploitation. Mwalimo revealed that Devki has already issued Local Purchase Orders to suppliers to transport iron ore to the new factory under construction, but not a single supplier from Taita Taveta County has been awarded a contract.
He questioned how the economy of the county will grow if the suppliers are brought from outside the county adding that the cooperative would not allow monopoly in iron ore mining or permit one individual to control the entire value chain.
The secretary further highlighted exploitation in pricing, noting that while iron ore trades at USD 107.7 per tonne at the London Metal Exchange, approximately Ksh 13,911, local suppliers are being offered between Ksh 3,500 to 5,500 per tonne.
The ranch has about 20 artisanal miners’ groups who risk losing market access if monopolistic practices continue.
Mwashinga Mjomba, chairman of the cooperative’s supervisory committee, revealed that they had met with Peter Paul, described as Devki’s personal aide, and requested that he remove their application from the cadaster and follow proper procedures. However, they were shocked to discover that licenses had been granted without member consent.
“You cannot be an investor and also the land owner. We are the land owners of Kishushe and we must be respected and our rights must be respected,” Mjomba stated.
The cooperative has laid out four clear demands to the Ministry including to nullify all illegal consents, remove illegitimate investors from the Cadastre, ensure no Prospecting License or Mining License is approved without genuine member consent, and support a transparent, community-centered Expression of Interest process.
Mwalimo emphasized that the ranch respects the rule of law and will not compromise. He stated that “We won’t bend the law. Even the president himself follows the law. We are telling them to follow the law. Let them come to members and the members will make informed decisions.”
The leadership clarified that they have no issue with Devki personally but oppose anyone not following legal requirements.
They called upon political leaders, including the governor, senator, women representative, MPs, and MCAs, to stand with their community in seeking justice.
“As much as sometimes we are seen as we are full of ignorance, but as a people, we are enlightened and we know the law,” Mwalimo said, urging CS Joho to direct his Principal Secretary and cadaster officials to halt the irregularities at Kishushe Ranch.
