Nairobi, Sept. 10 -- My take on Magadi soda. When we are through with politicking and election-cycle optics, we will still be facing big choices that will shape our mineral sector for years to come.

How do we split royalties with developers? What should be the local community share? How much value addition and local processing should we be demanding from developers? How should we manage and implement the rule requiring mining companies to relinquish unused or excess prospecting land back to the State so that the resource base can be opened to multiple players?

These questions will continue to rankle and divide us regardless of who the tenant at State House is.

Kenya has for now made a tactical retreat from its attempt to kick out Tata ...