Council of Governors Committee on Mining, Water and forestry has begun a three day ‘Kenyans extractive’ forum in Malindi to discuss the new mining policy and the role counties shall play in enhancing the sector.
Speaking to journalists at the Ocean beach resort in Malindi where the 3 day forum would be held, chairman Josphat Nanok praised the work of devolution programme in different counties for the past few years saying that the meeting will enable them understand what is in the act, work towards sharing formula within the act for minerals enabled by the Ministry responsible.
“These two ,three days that will be here, we shall be able to come up with laws and roles to counties that depend on mining sectors for revenue collection, in that to enable counties develop regulations to support mining activities,” he said.
According to Nanok there are 18 counties in the country that have minerals both liquid and solid form and are yet to familiarize themselves from the mining act, adding that most of those counties are lagging behind in terms of developments.
"In the past few years the national government has been collecting revenues from different counties yet a small amount of money is being pumped into those counties for development, we want a situation where counties will be independent to develop themselves without relaying on the national government," he added.
Kilifi County Governor Amason Kingi who is the host said that the mining act and laws that currently exist should be followed strictly to avoid conflict between residents and the national or county governments.
“There is no need for residents to fight over some few minerals that are within their counties if laws are enforced, the national government should fully cooperate with the county government together with the locals whenever a mineral wants to be extracted,” he stated.
The committee is expected to learn the history and background of the extractions in the country and come up with extraction legislation with specific reference to institutional framework, roles and mandates of extractions in the Mining sector institution, the role of County Governments in the mining sector.
Furthermore counties shall also share experiences on Extractives and mining in form of challenges and opportunities.
Other Governors expected at the forum is Granton Samboja (Taita Taveta), Migori Governor Okoth Obado, Kwale Governor Salim Murray, And Isiolo governor Mohamed Kuti among others .The Forum shall officially kick off, Thursday.