Rigathi Gachagua, leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), has made allegations that President William Ruto's recent trip to the United States was not for diplomatic purposes, but to finalize a secretive Ksh8.2 trillion minerals agreement with an American firm. Gachagua made these claims while addressing Kenyans in the diaspora on September 19. He asserted that President Ruto's travel to New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) was primarily motivated by mineral exploitation deals rather than diplomatic assembly sessions.
According to Gachagua, the agreement centers on the extraction of high-value niobium and rare earth mineral deposits located at Mrima Hill in Kwale County. He alleged that the proposed terms would yield minimal financial returns for the Kenyan public, with proceeds from the mining rights instead being split between the American corporate entity and President Ruto. Gachagua expressed concerns that the deal would be detrimental to Kenya's interests, given the mineral's estimated valuation of Ksh 8.2 trillion.
Gachagua claimed that executives from the American firm visited Kenya approximately four weeks ago and executed an initial agreement with a proxy representing the president. He stated that Ruto's trip to the U.S. serves to execute the final stage of the transaction. The DCP leader vowed to take action, stating that he would consult with lawyers to prepare paperwork and potentially take the matter to court to prevent the deal from happening.
These allegations come amid expanding bilateral engagements between Nairobi and Washington regarding critical minerals processing. American officials have voiced interest in collaborating with Kenya to establish domestic value addition, aiming to diversify critical mineral supply chains away from Chinese dominance. This development has significant implications for Kenya's mining sector and its relationships with foreign investors.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia affirmed on September 9 that American enterprises stood ready to partner with Kenya to build local processing infrastructure and generate local employment opportunities. This statement suggests a strong interest from the U.S. in securing critical mineral deals with Kenya, which could have far-reaching consequences for the country's economy.
Gachagua's claims are not isolated, as he also accused President Ruto of commercial self-interest regarding foreign investor operations at Lake Magadi earlier in the week. The DCP leader's allegations have sparked concerns about the transparency and accountability of Kenya's mineral deals, particularly in light of the significant financial stakes involved.
The issue has raised questions about the extent to which Kenya's government is prioritizing the interests of foreign investors over those of its citizens. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Kenyan government will respond to Gachagua's allegations and what implications this will have for the country's mining sector and its relationships with foreign investors.
Key points
- Gachagua alleges that President Ruto's US trip was to finalize a secret Ksh8.2 trillion minerals agreement with an American firm.
- The alleged agreement centers on the extraction of high-value niobium and rare earth mineral deposits at Mrima Hill in Kwale County.
- The deal has sparked concerns about transparency, accountability, and the prioritization of foreign investor interests over those of Kenyan citizens.
