Former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama served as chair of the President William Ruto-led United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in the run-up to the 2022 elections, playing a key role in building the party as it looked to win voters over with its ‘Hustler’ campaign.
An experienced politician, Muthama has served in a raft of roles and in February relinquished his role at UDA after being nominated as one of the commissioners of the powerful Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC).
Muthama is the owner of Rockland Kenya Limited, one of the country’s larger mining companies. The company deals in gold, rubies, opal, gypsum, diatomite, zinc and titanium. It also operates jewelry stores and sells mining equipment.
Rockland forms the cornerstone of Muthama’s wealth portfolio, which besides mining includes interests in real estate and agriculture. Muthama acquired the company from American geologist John Paul and secured a license allowing Rockland to mine and export rubies from Taita.
The company was registered on August 14, 1991 and was granted a special mining lease a day later.
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While protesting the cancellation of Rockland’s export license in 2018, Muthama told the court that the company had its special mining lease extended in 1996, before being renewed in 2012 for the period running to 2033.
He claimed that the company had lost about Ksh40 million in the period between October 2017 and January 2018 due to the withdrawal of the license – highlighting its strong performance and position in the market.
Rockland stated that it had maintained compliance with licensing requirements and paid all relevant taxes and levies. He opened talks with the government for an out-of-court settlement at the time.
Besides mining and selling precious gemstones, the company also helps clients source for the minerals they want. It has long been a member of the Kenya Chamber of Mines, the umbrella body for companies operating in the mining sector. Rockland, among other ventures, has helped Muthama amass great wealth.
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