The US has pledged to support Kenya in developing processing plants and related industries around the estimated Ksh8 trillion rare earth and niobium deposits at Mrima Hill in Kwale County, rather than exporting raw minerals.
US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia said the proposed partnership would include investment in mineral processing, technology transfer, worker training and the development of secondary industries.
He said American firms want Kenya to retain more value from its resources by creating skilled jobs and building a regional processing hub.The proposal comes as Kenya and the US discuss a critical minerals agreement linked to the Mrima Hill deposits.
President William Ruto has repeatedly pushed for local processing and downstream manufacturing, arguing that Kenya should benefit more from its natural resources.
