Gachagua Links Ruto’s Mombasa Outburst to Disputed Mrima Hill Mineral Deal

MOMBASA, Kenya — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has alleged that President William Ruto’s sharp response to a journalist during a media engagement at State House, Mombasa, was connected to disagreements over the proposed exploitation of mineral deposits at Mrima Hill in Kwale County.

Speaking to Kenyans in Massachusetts, United States, on Friday, October 2, Gachagua claimed that the President had sought to facilitate a mining arrangement involving an American investor and the deposits of niobium and rare-earth elements at Mrima Hill.

Gachagua said he had intervened over what he described as procedural concerns, particularly the need for public participation and engagement with residents of Kwale.

He linked those alleged disagreements to President Ruto’s response when a journalist raised his claims during a State House media engagement on October 1.

Reports from the event indicate that Ruto declined to engage with the question concerning Gachagua's allegations and instead criticised his former deputy.

Gachagua subsequently argued that the President's reaction should be viewed in the context of the disputed mineral project.

What Is Known About the Mrima Hill Project?

Unlike the broader allegations surrounding an alleged completed mining deal, official government documents confirm that Kenya has been pursuing development of the Mrima Hill Niobium, Rare Earth Elements and Other Minerals Development Project.

In April, the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs published terms of reference inviting expressions of interest for the project. The government said mineral rights would be awarded through a public tender process in accordance with the Mining Act and relevant regulations.

Mrima Hill has long been recognised for deposits of niobium and rare-earth elements. Government documents describe the site as having been explored historically, with significant geological work undertaken during earlier exploration programmes.

The deposits have attracted renewed international interest as countries seek supplies of critical minerals used in modern industries.

Reuters reported in September that the United States had pledged assistance to Kenya in developing its critical-minerals processing capacity, with Mrima Hill among the areas attracting attention. The report said several companies were in contention to develop the site and that both countries had emphasised local processing and value addition.

Public Participation Remains a Key Issue

The proposed development has also generated questions about community participation, environmental protection, land rights and the distribution of potential economic benefits.

In April, a member of the National Assembly requested information from the government on the status and scope of the proposed project, public participation, environmental and social impact assessments, community benefit-sharing arrangements and possible resettlement measures.

A separate parliamentary request in August noted concerns about the environmental and cultural implications of developing Mrima Hill, describing the area as a protected forest and one of cultural significance to local communities.

A legal petition has also challenged aspects of the proposed Kenya-US mineral arrangement, with the petitioners arguing that communities and other institutions should be more fully involved in the process.

Government Process and Political Claims

Gachagua's allegations about the President's involvement in the project remain political claims and should be distinguished from the documented government process for developing the deposits.

The Ministry's published documents indicate that the government intended to use a public tender process for awarding mineral rights. Separately, Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho was reported as saying in September that no mining licences had been granted for Mrima Hill at that point.

The dispute has consequently become both an economic and political issue, with questions about how Kenya should exploit strategic mineral resources while protecting communities, the environment and the country's long-term economic interests.

For now, the Mrima Hill project remains under scrutiny as Kenya weighs the potential economic value of its critical-mineral deposits against demands for transparency, public participation and local benefit-sharing.