Unusual Attractions in Kwale
Mrima Hill: Profit or Preserve? A Litmus Test
53 km beyond Ukunda along the A14 Road in Kikoneni area you reach the turnoff to Mrima Hill, set about 1 km back in bush and forest and easily reachable on a good murram road. The hill is only modest in size and elevation, with little touring potential, yet, unrevealed within its garden-variety appearance is a whooping-great mining enclave. Mrima Hill has remained largely untapped due to historical tensions between local communities, the government, and select foreign mining companies, leading to a climate of mistrust. It is pitted as a never-to-be-forgotten litmus test, although the eventual upward movement appears in favour of profit.
Presently gaining immense fame for its substantial deposits of rare earth elements (REEs) and niobium, Mrima Hill is ranked among the top five regions of its kind around the world, with a potential in-ground mineral value of up to Kes 5.4 trillion. That’s about 40 million tonnes, with a concentration of about 5% total rare earth oxides. An ace revenue for the Government, the battle to achieve environmental justice has been ever harder to win. In 2012, Cortec Mining Kenya submitted an EIA to NEMA for Niobium and rare earths mining at the site, which was rejected.
Nature Kenya and Kenya Forest Working Group objected to the EIA on grounds that Mrima Hill was declared a Nature Reserve and National Monument thanks to its natural and cultural value, and therefore exploitation of its minerals, if any, should be strictly limited and monitored to preserve them. Nature Kenya also indorsed for the exponent to submit information on-site for ore processing, waste storage and water extraction before the report was approved. Moreover, Kenya’s regulatory framework has often lacked the clarity and security needed to attract key investment and ensure sustainable, community-benefiting mining practices
Driven by the global demand for rare earth elements, for their essential role in avant-garde technologies like smartphones, electric vehicle batteries, and novel energy systems, in 2013, another EIA was done by Cortec Mining Kenya Ltd for the same project which was approved by NEMA in July, despite concerns on the risk of losing an Important Bird Area and heritage from Nature Kenya, Kenya Forest Working Group and WWF. In April 2013, Cortec Mining Kenya Ltd was granted a 21 year Special Mining License for the project by the Mines and Geology Ministry.
In August that same year, the Government of Kenya, facing backlash, through a press release, revoked all mining licenses issued since January 2013 for a 60 day review period on grounds that the licenses had been irregularly awarded. To fully realize this potential, Kenya must strengthen its regulatory frameworks to ensure transparent policies that benefit both investors and local communities. But this, however, does not mean that the cultural landscape, hillscape and IBA are out of danger since the major reason for suspending the licenses was not environmental.
Around Kenya are a selection of natural landmarks, cultural shrines, architectural oddities, and technological installations that offer incredible, almost surreal experiences that can make you feel as if you’ve stepped into another world. Hauntingly beautiful to some, eerie sights for others, and still, for others, down right strange, these site provide unique experiences for adventurous travelers.
Index of Unusual Attractions Around Kenya
Baringo County - Olduka (Mogotio) Valley, Busia County - The Alupe Leprosy Centre, Elgeyo Marakwet County - Kipteberr, Isiolo County - Magado Crater, Magado Cave Dwellings, Nantudu Spire Rock, Merti Catholic Church, Buffalo Springs, Harr Girrissa, Kericho County - Van Wicker's Cave, The Kipkelion Monastery, Kilifi County - Hell's Kitchen, Luigi Broglio Space Centre, Ngomeni Shipwreck, Kwale County - Three Sisters Caves, Mrima Hills Rare Earth Mine, Laikipia County - Sirmon & Nyariginu Confluence, Lamu County - The Lamu Donkey Sanctuary, Machakos County - Komarock Shrine, Kituluni Magical Hill, Makueni County - Kenze Gorges, Virgin Mary Shrine, Emali Trig, Holy Nzaui Rock, Mandera County - Marehan Sandstone, Marsabit County - Chalbi Desert, Meru County - Mystical Lake Nkunga, The Giant Footprints, Mombasa County - Kizingo, Mbaraki Pillar, Muranga County - Muranga Gorges, Nakuru County - Longonot Earth Station, Menegai, The Djinn House, Diana Caldwell's Shrine, Nandi County - Sheu Morobi Cliffs, Kopere Rocks, Nyandarua County - The Kinangop Step, Wanjohi Happy Valley, Dragon's Teeth, Nyeri County - Italian Memorial Church & Somali Wall, Taita Taveta County - The Taita Skull Caves, Shetani Lava, Yatta Springs, Nyiri Taru Desert, Crystal Caves at Lake Chala, Salaita (Slaughter) Hill, Haunted Sniper's Tree, Turkana County - Kapedo Falls, Lake Alablab, The Turkana Boy Monument, Samburu County - Samburu Singing Wells, Ngurunit Pools & Slides, Mystical Emuruangogolak, Vihiga County - Wagevere Rock, Nganyi Rainmakers Forest, Wajir County - Shaletey Caves
Located along the Kenyan coast, and a hub renowned for its pristine beaches, rich cultural heritage, and breathtaking landscapes, Kwale County uniquely combines two of Kenya’s unsurpassed offerings – beach and safari. Kwale County is also a melting pot of coastal traditions, modern development, farming and trade to boot.
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Explore Destinations Nearby Mrima Hill Rare Earth Mine
A Guide to Kwale County
A Summa Digest of Kwale
About Kwale Way Back When
85 Destinations in Kwale County, arranged as one would visit these - north, south, east then south - with aid of in-depth narratives, images, maps and distance chart:
Shelly Beach, Time Out Art Camp, Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary, Kutazama Lodge, Mandhari Lodge, Kimerimeta Safari Lodge, Baraza Park, Kwale Town, Shimba Hills National Reserve, Shimba Hills Lodge, Elephant Lookout, Sheldrick Falls, Shimba Hills Organic Farm, Nyalani Dam, WWF Nursery, Tiwi Beach, Diani-Chale Marine National Reserve, Kongo Mosque, Twiga Mosque, Diani Mosque, Diani Beach Art Gallery, Diani Bikes, Center Point Mall, Diani Beach, Almasi Art Agency, Diamond Leisure Beach & Golf Resort, Ali Barbour’s Cave Restaurant, Kenya Kite Masters, Kite Festival, Funguo Wreck, Swahili Beach Resort, Raydon Water Sports, Colobus Conservation Trust, Sails Beach Bar & Restaurant, H2O Extreme, Nomad Beach Bar & Restaurant, Baobab Beach Resort, Lantana Galu Beach, Galu Ruins, Bora Bora Wildlife Park, Skydive Diani, Kalista Bar & Restaurant, Kaya Kinondo (Forest), Kinondo Kwetu (Resort), Chale Island, Tulia Eco Garden, Gazi Beach, Gazi Mangrove Boardwalk, Gazi Ruins, Msambweni Beach, Munje Beach, Munje Beach Villas, Munje Ruins, Munje Octopus Closure, Funzi Island, Shirazi Ruins, Fikirini Caves, Hormuz, Pongwe, Shimoni Caves, Betty's Camp, Shimoni Ruins, KWS Shimoni Cottages, Wasini Island, Wasini Ruins, Wasini Boardwalk, Charlie Claw’s, Chambocha Cemetery, Wasini Dolphin Tours, Pilli Pipa Dhow, Blue Monkey Cottages, GVI Mkwiro, Mwaozi Tumbe's Gravestone, Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park, Sii Island, Mrima Hill, Maji Moto Springs, Vumba Kuu, Vanga, Vanga Ruins, Nyika Plateau
Know More About Kwale County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
What’s The Air Like In Kwale?
Kwale has monsoon type of climate marked by hot and dry weather from January to May and cooler temperatures from June to August. Average annual temperatures ranges between 24oC and 30oC.
What’s The Lay of The Land In C.02?
Kwale is widely known for its 35 km long coast, where Diani Beach sits. Inland, the coastal uplands, commonly referred to as Shimba Hills, is a sharp elevation in altitude. The land then steeply falls again into the Nyika Plateau and Tsavo.