Communities in mineral-rich parts of Kwale must get a fair share of the wealth generated from their natural resources, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has said.
Wetang’ula said the government would not allow investors to extract minerals and leave local communities, landowners and county governments without meaningful benefits from the resources found in their areas.
Speaking during a fundraiser at Moyeni Girls Senior School in Kinango Constituency on Friday, Wetang’ula said President William Ruto had tasked Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Ali Joho with ensuring fairness and equity in the mining sector.
“We will not allow foreigners to extract our minerals, take away the wealth and leave our communities with open pits. Those exploiting our minerals must share the benefits with local communities, landowners and county governments so that the resources contribute to development,” he said.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Sports CS Salim Mvurya during a fundraiser at Moyeni Girls Senior School in Kinango Constituency, Kwale on August 7, 2026.
PHOTO/SPU
Kwale hosts Kenya’s largest titanium deposits and other mineral resources, which Wetang’ula said could make the county one of the wealthiest in the country if properly managed.
He said mining revenues should be channelled into projects that directly improve the lives of residents, including schools, roads, hospitals and other local infrastructure.
The Speaker also pointed to fisheries and tourism as other sectors with the potential to drive economic growth in the Coast region. He cited the government’s construction of a modern fish market in Shimoni and other investments aimed at expanding business opportunities.
Wetang’ula criticised politicians who discourage foreign tourists from visiting Kenya, warning that such statements could hurt the tourism industry and the families that depend on it.
“Tourism creates jobs and supports thousands of families. Anyone telling tourists not to visit Kenya is hurting our economy and the livelihoods of our people,” he said.
The Speaker also called for greater political unity between the Coast and Western regions, noting their longstanding ties dating back to the late independence leaders Masinde Muliro and Ronald Ngala.
He urged Kenyans to reject ethnic, religious and regional politics and said development should not depend on how a particular area voted.
“We want every Kenyan to receive a fair share of development whether they voted for the government or not. That is the spirit of the broad-based government,” he said.
Wetang’ula further urged eligible Kenyans to obtain national identity cards and register as voters ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani said the Coast should increase its registered voters from an estimated 2.9 million to about four million to strengthen the region’s political influence.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya cited ongoing government projects in Kwale, including the Kwale-Kinango-Samburu Road, Mwache Dam, Kinango Market and the Affordable Housing Programme.
Mvurya also urged residents to register in large numbers, saying the region had the potential to produce four million voters.
“We must prove those who claim the Coast has no voting strength wrong by registering in large numbers and participating in elections,” he said.