Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of using his visit to the United States to pursue a deal involving Kenya’s estimated KSh8.2 trillion niobium and rare-earth mineral deposits at Mrima Hill in Kwale County.
Gachagua made the claims while addressing Kenyans during a community engagement at the Matt Ross Community Center in Overland Park, Kansas, as he continued his tour of the United States.
The former Deputy President claimed that Ruto would use the trip to advance negotiations over Kenya’s critical mineral resources, questioning what leaders in Kwale County were doing as discussions surrounding the deposits continued.
However, mineral deals were not listed among the publicly announced items on Ruto’s itinerary for the US visit.
Mrima Hill has attracted significant attention because of its deposits of niobium and rare-earth elements. Government geological assessments have confirmed the presence of niobium and several rare-earth-related elements at the site, although the economic viability of the deposits is still subject to further assessment.
The potential development of the deposits has also attracted interest amid growing global demand for critical minerals used in advanced manufacturing and technology.
Niobium is primarily used to strengthen steel and produce specialised alloys. Niobium-containing steel is used in products such as pipelines, construction materials and automotive components because small amounts of the metal can significantly increase strength while maintaining relatively low weight. Niobium is also used in superconducting materials and specialised aerospace and energy applications.
Rare-earth elements, meanwhile, are important in the manufacture of products including permanent magnets, electric motors, electronics and other advanced technologies.
Gachagua's remarks add to the political debate surrounding the exploitation of Kenya's strategic mineral resources, particularly the question of how communities and the wider country would benefit from their development.
