Kakamega: Kakamega County Assembly is bracing for a heated debate as Members of the County Assembly (MCA’s) prepare to hear petitions that could redefine the future of gold mining activities in Kakamega County. Speaking during a sensitisation workshop in Kisumu for Members of the Kakamega County Assembly by Shanta Gold Limited, a company that has been prospecting for gold at Isiukhu-Isulu-Bushiangala area in Ikolomani constituency, Speaker James Namitsi confirmed that he had received two petitions and called for those with more views to come forward.
According to Kenya News Agency, during the workshop held in Kisumu and attended by Principal Secretary for State Department for Mining, Harry Kimtai, the leaders voiced concerns about Shanta Gold Company, insisting that community rights, environmental safeguards, and fair compensation must be legally guaranteed before mining operations commence. This comes in the background of the discovery of gold in Ramula-Mwibona in Siaya and Isulu-Bushiangala deposits in Kakamega, which heralds one of Kenya’s most ambitious mining excavations, estimated at 1.27 ounces valued at about 680 billion shillings at the Ikolomani site.
MCA for Isukha South, Charles Misiko Lwanga, demanded the production of geospatial maps, showing proper geographical coordinates by the company. He raised concern that a number of foreign nationals had infiltrated the gold mining business in the area and were using dangerous chemicals to clean the gold, draining the waste into River Yala, leading to the death of fish and other aquatic plants downstream. Idakho South ward MCA Stephen Mukhala stressed that compensation must prioritise the value of the land given the valuable minerals underneath. Others insisted that the best way for compensation for landowners should be land to land; otherwise, some may consume money and later remain landless.
The Assembly speaker emphasised the importance of structured public participation and unity among the leaders; otherwise, they may not realise the benefit of the valuable minerals. He noted the need for a good public participation process to make people understand the importance of this project, urging transparency and grassroots involvement. Principal Secretary Kimtai pledged that the government will organise another public participation, regretting the last December incident where four people were killed after chaos erupted. He said strict enforcement of mining laws must be adhered to by all miners to protect water sources, agricultural land, and biodiversity across the mining area.
Kimtai stated that artisanal miners, who have long relied on small-scale gold extraction, are also at the heart of the government programme and will be registered and licensed to weed out illegal ones. During the debates, issues of legal frameworks are expected to dominate assembly discussions. MCA Mukhala argued that royalties alone, currently set at 3 percent, are insufficient to guarantee equitable distribution of mining proceeds. He questioned why other countries with established mining industries, like Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, have higher rates.
PS Kimtai pledged government support and assured stakeholders that land compensation will follow legal valuation procedures based on land value, not mineral value. He stated that under the constitution, minerals belong to the people of Kenya and must be shared equitably for sustainable development, affirming that community engagement and adherence to the law will be ensured. Shanta Gold Company is targeting to acquire 337 acres from the areas of Isiukhu-Isulu-Bushiangala in Ikolomani to commence underground tunnel mining from 2028. The PS mentioned that once all partners reach an agreement, Shanta Gold Company will be granted a mining licence for 25 years, although the mining exercise will last only 8 years. He added that mining companies are mandated by law to reclaim areas after mining and ensure they are restored to an environmentally friendly state before evacuation.
As the County Assembly prepares to deliberate, stakes are high as the outcome will determine whether Shanta Gold mining in the county will proceed or not.
