MOMBASA, Kenya — President William Ruto has dismissed a journalist’s question about former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s claims concerning the proposed exploitation of niobium deposits at Mrima Hills in Kwale County.
Ruto was responding to questions from journalists during a roundtable interview at State House, Mombasa, on Thursday, October 1, when he was asked to comment on Gachagua’s allegations that the mineral deposits were being targeted by an American company.
The President declined to address the allegations and criticised Gachagua, telling the journalist to raise a different subject.
“Please don’t ask me about claims of such a foolish person. Let’s talk about something else,” Ruto said, according to footage and reports of the interview.
Ruto subsequently spoke about the importance of minerals to Kenya’s economy and his administration’s efforts to reform the mining sector and strengthen accountability in the management of natural resources.
Gachagua Raises Mrima Hills Claims
Gachagua, the leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), raised the allegations on September 19 while addressing Kenyans in Kansas City in the United States.
He claimed that Ruto’s visit to the US for the 81st United Nations General Assembly was partly aimed at finalising an agreement with an American company to exploit niobium and rare-earth deposits at Mrima Hills.
Gachagua alleged that the deposits were worth about Sh8.2 trillion and claimed Kenyans risked receiving little benefit from their exploitation.
He also claimed representatives of an American company had visited Kenya several weeks earlier and that discussions were underway over the proposed mineral deal.
Gachagua said he would consider legal action to challenge any agreement on the exploitation of the deposits.
US-Kenya Critical Minerals Talks
The allegations come amid documented US-Kenya discussions over critical minerals.
US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia said in September that American companies were interested in partnering with Kenya on local processing, technology transfer, training, and development of industries around critical minerals.
The Kenyan government has identified niobium and rare-earth elements as strategic minerals and has said mineral rights for the Mrima Hill prospect are intended to be awarded through a public tender process under the Mining Act and related regulations.
