Section of Kwale residents want to be given back Titanium land

A section of the mining-affected community in Kwale county is calling on the national government to consider returning the land to them after the closure of Base Titanium firm’s operations.

The mineral company is expected to cease its activities by the end of December due to mineral depletion.
Affected residents argue that some of those relocated to pave way for the mining activities were moved to swampy and infertile lands, resulting in significant hardship and persistent poverty.

The locals were compensated before being relocated by the government. About 6,000 acres of land was leased to Base Titanium. Led by Swaleh Abdallah, the locals highlighted the dire conditions they faced and emphasized the fairness of returning them to their original ancestral lands, where they previously thrived.

Abdallah said they believe that given their ancestral lands would provide them with the opportunity to regain their livelihoods and alleviate their current struggles.

“Some of us were relocated to Bwiti, where the lands were unsuitable, while others were assigned areas that were already occupied. It would be appropriate for us to be given back our original lands,” he said.

Return to land

Abdallah added that Base Titanium has a responsibility to intervene and ensure that the affected communities are returned to their previous lands. He said the company cannot distance itself from the issue, as the communities were relocated due to its operation.

Abdallah said the government should initiate the process of land adjudication and issue title deeds to the affected communities after the mine closure. He said

that the locals are eager to return to farming, as the land is well-suited for agricultural activities. Tabitha Mbithe, a local from Kibwaga, said that the company must address all the complaints raised before shutting down.

Human-wildlife conflict

She said the company must help put up an electric fence to mitigate humanwildlife conflicts, noting that when the communities were relocated the area was abandoned and became bushy.

Mbithe said they want everything to go back to normal once the mining company has completed its operations.

Ann Ayiro from Barcelona-Mwaweche suggested that the mined land should be transferred to the county government, which could then subdivide it among the communities. She noted that some people remain homeless after relocation and emphasized that returning their land would be a more equitable solution.

“Yes, they were compensated, but now that mining is over, it is only right that they be resettled,” she said.

Kenya Land Alliance Executive Officer Faith Alube said the government must give guidance on post mining land use as the Australian mining company prepares to shut down operations. She said that the community is confused about the post-mining land use (PMLU) process, with most residents wanting their land returned.

“The community has a right to be included in the discussion and have their voices heard, as they are the indigenous people,” she said.

On wrong footing

During the Second Annual Jamvi La Madini, Base Titanium External Affairs General Manager Simon Wall admitted that the company initially started on the wrong foot but has since worked to rectify the shortcomings and strengthen its relationship with the community.

He however emphasized that the company does not have the authority to make decisions regarding the land after its exit. He stated that the national government will decide the future use of the land after
mining concludes.

Wall explained that the company will only offer proposals based on their surveys of agricultural trials and other relevant activities.

“The law is clear: after mining, we hand over the land to the national government, which will determine the next steps. Our role will be to provide several suggestions based on our land trials,” he said.

Wall said Base Titanium is committed to addressing the issues faced by miningaffected communities and ensuring they benefit from the mining activities. As the company prepares to close down, Wall said they are determined to rehabilitate and restore the mined land.

He added that they will extend their stay for some years after closure to ensure a thorough and sustainable rehabilitation process.

County Coordinator for the National Land Commission, Dennis Mutungi, stated that, according to the law, the land leased to Base Titanium Limited (BTL) will revert to the national government upon the company’s exit.