The leadership of Kishushe Ranching Cooperative Society Ltd has called for the immediate removal of eight mining investors from the cadastre, accusing them of being listed illegally to operate on ranch land without proper consent from members.
In a press briefing held in Voi on Wednesday, the cooperative’s leadership issued a statement raising serious concerns about illegal consents, cadastre obstruction, and unlawful entry by investors into Kishushe Ranch land, directly addressing the Ministry of Mining and regulatory agencies.
Matilda Waleghwa, Chair of the Kishushe Ranching Cooperative Ltd, said the cooperative was particularly concerned about investors who have bypassed required legal procedures.
She confirmed that only two investors, Archers Post Investments Limited and Universal Mineral Explorers, had followed due process by obtaining consent from members as required by ranch laws and were allowed to carry on with their work.
However, Waleghwa expressed shock at the appearance of Devki Steel Mills Ltd in the cadastre seeking a license, despite never attending any of their meetings or Special General Meetings.
“We are surprised that he appears in the cadastre looking for a license, wondering who gave him the consent,” she said, adding that the cooperative does not want to be looked down upon or engage in fights but needs clarity on who authorized the consent.
Wilfred Mwalimo, Secretary of the Kishushe Ranching Cooperative Society Ltd, elaborated on the legal framework governing mining activities on communal land. “There is a 2016 mining act that doesn’t allow anyone to do mining without consent,” he said, emphasizing that eight investors mentioned in their statement had entered the ranch without member consent.
Mwalimo questioned how the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, led by Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, allowed the investors to enter the ranch without members’ approval.
“If the investors have the consent, then, as the committee we have never been called in any meeting, SGM to ratify or pass the investors,” he said.
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“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 stated.
He accused some investors of using force and financial power to enter the ranch and attempting to regularize illegal operations. “It doesn’t matter who is behind the ideas but as long as it does not follow the law, then as a committee we will not allow,” he declared.
Mwalimo specifically addressed Devki Steel Mills Ltd and its alleged personal aide, Peter Paul, whom he accused of attempting to circumvent proper procedures.
“We want to tell Mr. Devki through his personal aide called Peter Paul who has the audacity of telling our members to regularize the process aside from the ranch law that require an investor to come to the members which they don’t want to follow. They want us to sit down with them and give them consent without the approval of the people,” he said.
Drawing on constitutional principles, Mwalimo argued that just as power resides with the people of Kenya, the same applies to ranch members, emphasizing 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.”
Beyond procedural concerns, the cooperative raised economic grievances about monopolistic practices and exploitation of local suppliers. While Mwalimo expressed appreciation for Devki’s investment in the county at Manga and supported it 100 percent, he strongly opposed one investor controlling the entire value chain from processing to mining and transportation.
He revealed that Devki has already issued Local Purchase Orders to suppliers for transporting iron ore to its new factory being constructed, but not a single supplier from the county has received an LPO.
“How will the economy of the county grow if the suppliers are brought from outside the county?” he questioned, adding that the cooperative would not allow monopoly in iron ore mining or let one individual control the entire value chain.
Mwalimo urged Devki to focus on processing and allow locals to mine, noting that there are 20 artisanal miner groups in Kishushe who might not find a place to sell their iron ore.
He also highlighted pricing discrepancies, stating 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 only Ksh 3,500 to Ksh 5,500 per tonne, which he termed pure exploitation.
“Devki and Ministry of mining should get it clear. As much as sometimes we are seen as full of ignorance, but as a people, we are enlightened and we know the law,” said Mwalimo.
Mwashinga Mjomba, Chairman of the supervisory committee of Kishushe Ranching Cooperative Society Ltd, disclosed that the committee had met with Peter Paul and requested him to remove Devki from the cadastre and follow proper procedures for obtaining member consent.
He expressed surprise that despite this agreement, Devki now appears in the cadastre with a granted license lacking 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.
He called upon CS Hassan Joho to intervene and rectify the situation.
While acknowledging that Devki is a good person, Mjomba placed blame on Peter Paul, whom he described as someone creating a rift between the investor and ranch members. “As the Kishushe Ranching Cooperative Society Ltd, we have no issue with Devki but we have a problem with the people not following the law as it is required,” he clarified.
Mjomba demanded that the Director of Mines remove all eight investors operating without member consent and questioned why investors who followed proper procedures and obtained consent are being denied permits while those who violated the law are being licensed.
The cooperative’s official statement lists the companies allegedly listed in the cadastre illegally to operate in Kishushe Ranch as 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.
They called on the political leaders led by the governor, senator, and women’s representative to MPs and MCAs, to stand with the people of Kishushe in their pursuit of justice and adherence to the law.
By Michael Oduor
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