A fresh chapter has opened in Kenya’s push to develop its critical mineral resources after the government announced a new tender for the Mrima Hill rare earth and niobium deposits.
But as global attention from major powers intensifies, one former industry frontrunner, Chuanshan International Mining Company, has found itself sidelined amid an internal dispute that has raised broader concerns about governance and accountability in the extractives sector.
Chuanshan, long associated with Chinese investor Han Ke, once positioned itself as a key contributor to Kenya’s mining ambitions.
Han, a familiar figure in the industry, was instrumental in establishing the company’s presence in Baringo County, where he oversaw the development of the region’s first diatomite processing facility.
The initiative created jobs, opened new economic opportunities, and strengthened ties with the local Pokot community.
The company’s public footprint grew steadily. In January 2024, Chuanshan was among the participants in the government-backed Kwalai Rare Earth Standard Project, reportedly posting impressive performance results.
Its Community Development Agreement with local leaders projected the creation of up to 1,500 new jobs and the establishment of a health- and manufacturing-focused industrial park.
The firm also drew praise for donating 160 solar panels and batteries to remote households, easing access to electricity in underserved villages.
Yet beneath this progress, an extraordinary corporate confrontation was taking shape.
Documents seen by journalists suggest that attempts were made to remove Han from the company’s directorship under questionable circumstances.
At the centre of the controversy is a court document, registered as E161/2025, which purportedly declared Han dead, a move that would have enabled significant changes to the company’s ownership structure.
However, the Kenya Companies Registration Authority later raised red flags over the authenticity of the documents.
Further checks showed that both the alleged death certificate and the referenced court ruling were forged.
Investigators at Capital Hill Police Station were subsequently called in, confirming that the records used to amend Chuanshan’s shareholder information were fraudulent.
Legal analysts say the alleged falsification carries serious implications, potentially touching on fraud, conspiracy and manipulation of official records.
While the matter remains under investigation, its impact on the company has been swift and far-reaching.
Chuanshan’s once-strong position in Kenya’s rare earth landscape appears to have weakened, with the ensuing scandal casting a shadow over its credibility.
Industry observers warn that the controversy risks unsettling investors at a time when Kenya is working to attract fresh capital into its mining sector and advance national development goals under Vision 2030.
For communities in Baringo, the uncertainty brings mixed emotions. Many had welcomed Chuanshan’s projects for their potential to stimulate local growth, and community representatives are now calling for renewed transparency to ensure that ongoing disputes do not derail promised benefits.
For Han, the case marks an unexpectedly dramatic turn in his Kenya investment journey, one that has moved from industrial development to an alleged attempt to erase him from corporate records.
The episode highlights the sensitivities and high stakes surrounding major mining ventures, where commercial interests, regulatory oversight and internal power struggles often collide.
As investigations continue, the dispute has laid bare not only the internal fractures within Chuanshan but also the systemic vulnerabilities facing corporate governance in Kenya’s mining industry.
