Govt to subject Mrima Hill mining project to open tender in accountability push
By Cy Muganda, January 10, 2026The government has announced that the proposed mining of strategic minerals at Mrima Hill in Kwale County will be subjected to an open and competitive tendering process, in an effort to entrench transparency and accountability in Kenya’s mining sector.
In a statement posted on his X account on Friday, January 9, 2026, after a consultative meeting with Kwale County leadership, Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho disclosed that Mrima Hill will be the first mining project in the country to undergo a competitive bidding process.
“Mrima Hill will be the first mining project in Kenya to be subjected to an open and competitive tendering process, setting a new benchmark for accountability in the sector,” Joho stated.
National strategic importance
Joho described Mrima Hill as a site of national strategic importance, noting that it hosts minerals critical for modern infrastructure development and the global energy transition.
He emphasised that the national government has a responsibility to ensure that the extraction of these resources is carried out in a manner that is safe, transparent and sustainable.
“Mrima Hill is of national strategic importance, hosting minerals that are critical for modern infrastructure and energy transition. Our obligation as the national government is to ensure that these resources are extracted safely, transparently and sustainably for the long-term prosperity of Kwale and the country as a whole,” the CS said.
Commitment to transparency
The Mining CS further assured Kwale County residents that the Ministry is committed to transparency, accountability and the protection of livelihoods and social stability throughout the project’s development process.
“My assurance to the Kwale leadership is that the Ministry is committed to transparency and accountability throughout the project’s development process,” Joho stated.
“As a Ministry, we promised the people of Kwale that early and continuous consultation, strengthened collaboration between national and the county government, respect for local cultures, and safeguarding livelihoods and social stability will be prioritised,” he added.