They want a new sharing formula that will see communities get more A section of MPs are pushing for a radical overhaul of Kenya’s proposed mining revenue-sharing framework to increase the amount allocated to local communities. At the centre of the push is the Mining Mineral Royalty Sharing Regulations 2026, which outline how proceeds from the country’s extractive sector are distributed.
The current formula, anchored in the Mining Act, allocates 70 per cent of royalties to the national government, 20 per cent to county governments and just 10 per cent to host communities. However, a section of members of the Committee on Delegated Legislation, reviewing the regulations have sharply criticised the arrangement as inequitable, arguing that it fails to reflect the realities on the ground where mining activities take place.
Samburu County Woman Representative Pauline Lenguris sought to know from Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs CS Hassan Joho, why in the current proposal the government is taking up the majority. “Everything is happening in the counties, from the discovery of the minerals to the impact assessments, chair I think this framework should be reversed for counties to get the 70 per cent,” said Lenguris.
Lawmakers argued that communities bear the brunt of mining’s negative impacts, including environmental degradation, displacement and health risks, yet receive the smallest portion of the benefits. “Minerals are found on community land, and it is the people who suffer the consequences of extraction, we cannot sit here and legalise unfairness,” added the women representative.
The debate comes against the backdrop of increasing tensions in mining zones across the country, where disputes over land, compensation, and benefit-sharing have become more frequent. Committee chair Samuel Chepkonga pointed to loopholes in the proposed model pointing out that natural minerals falling across county borders, were not adequately addressed on how the revenues will be distributed.
Lawmakers warned that the current distribution model risks exacerbating these conflicts by sidelining communities that are directly affected by mining operations.