By Billy Mijungu
Kenya could make life easier for her citizens and safeguard her borrowing principles by taking a bold step: leveraging the immense wealth buried beneath Mrima Hills in Kwale County. Valued at over Ksh 8 trillion, the rare earth minerals in this coastal hill could be the single greatest asset in Kenya’s economic history. Instead of allowing the deposits to sit idle or become a source of disputes, Kenya could explore a strategic swap by trading Mrima Hills mineral rights with a willing nation ready to clear our national debt.
Reports from global media such as The Times of India and Business Daily Africa reveal that Mrima Hill is home to vast deposits of rare earth oxides and niobium, crucial in manufacturing electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and advanced electronics. According to Kenya’s 2019 to 2021 State of Environment Report, the hill could contain over 110 million tonnes of rare earth oxides, a resource valued in the tens of billions of dollars.
Australian companies RareX Limited and Iluka Resources have already shown interest, forming a consortium to pursue the project through a special purpose vehicle. Other nations including the United States and China have been eyeing the site as part of the global race for rare earth dominance. If properly negotiated, Kenya could ask such nations to settle its Ksh 11 trillion debt in exchange for mining rights, with guarantees for local employment and technology transfer.
The potential benefits are immense. The move would immediately free up fiscal space, release liquidity into the economy, and redirect resources from debt repayment to development. It would also secure jobs for local youth, promote training in mining and technology, and open opportunities for regional industrial hubs.
But such a deal must come with caution. Mrima Hill lies in a forest reserve and sacred cultural site, raising environmental and heritage concerns among the local Digo community. Past licensing disputes, such as the Cortec Mining case, also remind us that poor governance can turn opportunity into costly litigation.
If well structured with transparent terms, environmental safeguards, and strict community benefit agreements, Kenya could achieve a first by turning debt into development. Mrima Hill can become Kenya’s gateway to financial freedom and industrial transformation.
The question now is whether we will negotiate wisely or once again let foreign hands write our future.
