Elijah Mwangi, the Principal Secretary for the Mining Ministry, is facing intense scrutiny after accusations surfaced that he facilitated the transfer of 500 acres of land to the Devki Group without proper public participation.
Activist Akal Simba, who has been at the forefront of exposing the alleged mismanagement, revealed these claims through his X handle (formerly Twitter). Simba urged Kenyans to stand against any government officials attempting to misuse the nation’s mineral resources.
Devki boss Narendra Raval receiving title deed of 500-acres land from
In his post, Simba criticised the transparency of the land transfer, stating, “Fellow fighters, this is Elijah Mwangi, the PS for Mining. He lied that there was public participation in the 500 acres of land they grabbed in Taita. How was there a public participation without gazette notice? Revoke that title deed and stop mismanaging our mines. Hutoboi.”
However, Simba’s revelations have not come without consequences. He disclosed that he has been receiving threats, with several of his social media accounts being hacked and his private phone calls monitored. The harassment has escalated since he began speaking out against the land transfer, raising concerns about the safety of activists who challenge powerful figures.
The land in question was reportedly handed over to Narendra Raval, the Executive Chairman of the Devki Group. This action has ignited controversy, as it allegedly contravenes the Constitution of Kenya 2010, which mandates that only a licence can be granted for such land, rather than a full transfer of ownership.
Narendra Raval, a well-known Kenyan industrialist of Indian Gujarati origin, has previously been in the public eye for his close ties with the current administration. In April 2024, Raval publicly endorsed President William Ruto, suggesting that Ruto should serve as Kenya’s president for over 25 years due to his dedication to the country.
As the scandal unfolds, there is mounting pressure on the government to address these allegations. Many are calling for a thorough investigation into the land transfer process and the threats against Simba, demanding a reassessment of the land’s ownership and protection for those speaking out.
Screenshot of X post showing Narendra Raval of DevKi receiving the title deed
