Kenya: Why Kwale Locals Are Not Reaping From Titanium

24 February 2015

With the recent discovery and exploration of natural resources such as oil in Turkana, coal in Kitui and titanium in Kwale, the emphasis on employment for indigenous communities in the mining industry is timely. However, a 2014 Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis household survey in Kwale county indicates that the shortage of relevant education and skills significantly hinders mining companies from employing locals.

Despite titanium mining taking place from 2013, communities living near the mining site have benefited little. In Kwale, an estimated 35 per cent of households earn less than Sh3,000 a month, significantly less than the country's minimum wage. Women are the most disadvantaged. Notably, one per cent of 41 per cent of locals residing near the titanium mines have a diploma or certificate, less than 10 per cent have secondary school qualifications and more than 40 per cent lack formal education.

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