The national government will by next week float an expression of interest inviting potential investors in its efforts to revive the Fluorspar company in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
The mining CS Salim Mvurya said the government was hopeful that a new investor will be found so that the company which collapsed almost seven years ago will start operations by June this year.
However, the issue of compensation of the 970 acres which were acquired by the government to establish the company still remains a challenge in the revival of the company.
Mvurya assured residents that the government will work with other institutions like the national land commission in addressing the thorny issue of compensation.
The Keiyo south MP Gideon Kimaiyo called on the residents to treat the issue of compensation with sobriety saying while many investors were willing to take over the company, they will hesitate to do so because of the issues surrounding compensation.
The MP said the issue of compensation was being given more weight than the company’s revival despite the many economic benefits that will accrue from it.
Community members said they hoped that this time the company will be revived saying various cabinet secretaries from previous governments have visited the area promising the same but the promises have remained a nightmare.
They added that while they all want the company to be revived, they must be compensated for their land.
Mvurya said that his ministry was working on a mineral value addition policy to ensure that international mining companies value-add the minerals before exporting saying this will create jobs for the locals.
He added that the ministry had taken an inventory of minerals found in all the 47 counties even as it seeks to ensure that the ministry which previously had been reduced to issuing licences for mining transforms the sector to creating business for Kenyans.
The visit by the CS comes after the Governor Wesley Rotich received a report on the revival of the company and forwarded it to the CS office.
By Alice Wanjiru
