The local regional administration in Kwale county has been criticized  for forcing local residents to accept prospecting for minerals by investors in the area.

The residents of Mchinjirini location held a protest to caution the government to stop harassing and intimidating them.

They claimed this is part and parcel of the government's scheme to encroach on their prime land in the location.

Led by the Kwale Women's representative Zuleikha Juma Hassan they accused the local administration of threatening them with opposing mining in the area.

She confirmed the threat message during the protest organized by Kwale land owners' community based organization held at Mchinjirini primary school in Msambweni constituency.

"No forced eviction can take place without a willing buyer and willing seller agreement," she pointed out.

The Kwale Women's representative told journalists she will abide with the land owners' decision not to surrender their ancestral land unless there is a willing seller and buyer agreement.

 Zuleikha who was accompanied by the Kwale land owners' community based organization chairman Mohammed Mwacharo and secretary Hamidi Kamanya said she stands with the  majority of locals who are opposed the prospecting for minerals in the area.

She pointed an accusing finger at the newly posted deputy county commissioner for threatening the locals with eviction for opposing the prospecting for minerals project.

"There is no law that allows the eviction of the locals using forceful means to pave way for investors in the county," she pointed out.