Former envoy Emma Wangechi Murai, who served in both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education has gone public with the discovery of a valuable mineral in her backyard.
Ms Murai applied to the Ministry of Mining for a licence to explore carbon dioxide gas deposits she stumbled upon while drilling a borehole in her rural home.
In a gazette notice issued by the ministry, the Principal Secretary explained that the former diplomat was seeking the go-ahead to inspect a parcel of land covering 2.56 kilometres squared in Murang'a county.
"Notice is hereby given by virtue of Section 34 of the Mining Act that an application for a prospecting licence, whose details and area boundary schedule are 2.5652km square…Kahuro area, Murang’a County, [for]…gaseous minerals," the Gazette notice stated in part.
[caption caption="Mining officials in protective gear inspect a plant"]
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Sources close to Ms Murai told Business Daily that corporate entities had already started streaming in with offers to buy her land.
Carbon dioxide gas is vital for the preservation of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
At present, Kenya's carbon dioxide mines are found in Kimende, Kiambu County. Prior to Ms Murai's discovery, traces of the gaseous mineral had been detected a few kilometres away from Murang'a town.
According to the 2018 Economic Survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), every 19,775 tonnes of the gas was valued at Ksh510.7 Million in 2017.
The price, however, has been on a steady decline since 2015 when it was sold at Ksh525.7 Million shillings per 19,750 tonnes.
Mining Cabinet Secretary John Munyes asked any member of the public opposed to Ms Murai's exploration to submit the dissent, in writing, before July 13, 2018.
[caption caption="Beer foams as it is poured into a glass. Carbon dioxide is a major preservative used for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages"]
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