Kwale County Governor Fatuma Achani has issued a warning against the convening of any meeting on the Mrima minerals in Dzombo, Lunga Lunga, that does not involve county leadership and residents of the affected area.

Speaking at Mrima Vocational Training College, Governor Achani noted that the Mrima minerals issue is not a matter for a few individuals. She emphasized that all stakeholders, including local residents, must be fully involved so that it is clear how the community will benefit from the minerals.

Achani’s remarks were supported by Lunga Lunga Member of Parliament Mangale Chiforomodo and Dzombo Ward MCA Douglas Chimako, who urged residents of the affected areas to remain united in order to benefit from the minerals should mining proceed.

Residents of Dzombo, led by Abdala Tsuma, called on the community to shun greed so that the resources can benefit everyone fairly.

The leaders’ and residents’ statements come in the wake of a meeting convened by Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Ali Hassan Joho, at the KSG Hall in Matuga, Kwale County, which ended in disarray after Kwale Deputy Governor Chirema Kombo and other county government officials walked out before the meeting concluded. They claimed they were sidelined and denied the freedom to express their views.