Three people were shot dead and 10 others injured on December 4 during protests in Kakamega over Shanta Gold’s relocation plan.
Police said that the victims were hired goons who attacked officers and journalists during the unrest.
Earlier, traffic along the Sigalagala-Musoli Road in Ikolomani, Kakamega County, was disrupted as residents protested a planned public participation meeting intended to discuss recently identified large-scale gold deposits in the region.
The residents barricaded the roads with stones and set a bonfire at the market centre, disrupting traffic in the area.
During the protests, residents voiced concerns about potential land evictions, insufficient compensation, and the environmental impacts of mining activities.
Motorists were advised to exercise caution when approaching the area and to use alternative routes where possible.
Kakamega County Protests Leave Three People Dead, Ten Injured
The protests come after State Department of Mining Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai on December 3, held talks with Shanta Gold Kenya Limited.
The meeting deliberated on practical recommendations to guide the successful implementation of the Ramula–Mwibona mining project in Siaya and Vihiga counties.
“This coordinated, multi-agency approach will ensure effective oversight and timely execution of the project,” the Principal Secretary said.
During the meeting, the PS proposed the establishment of county-level project implementation committees, co-chaired by the County Commissioners and CECs in charge of natural resources, and supported by technical officers from key regulatory agencies such as NEMA and the State Departments for Housing and Agriculture.
He commended the county governments of Siaya and Vihiga for embracing Shanta Gold project, terming it a transformative investment which will generate local revenue, create employment and stimulate economic growth across the two counties.
Also Read: CS Joho Orders Simba Cement to Shut Down Mining Site
The PS also assured the local communities that they will be compensated fairly and transparently. Development must go hand-in-hand with community interests as we provide investors with an enabling environment to create lasting socio-economic impact.
“We must counter misinformation and move swiftly to prevent speculators from exploiting the public,” Kimtai said.
The Principal Secretary was accompanied by senior officials from the State Department for Mining including Thomas Mutwiwa (Secretary, Mines), Enoch Kipseba (Secretary, Geological Survey) and Abel Chumba (Director, Commercial Explosives).
Also present were the County Commissioners of Vihiga and Siaya, CECs, and senior officials from the respective county governments, alongside representatives from various line ministries.
Also Read: Joho Explains How British Firm Discovered Ksh 680Billion Gold in Kakamega
How British Firm Discovered Ksh 680Billion Gold
The dispute follows confirmation by Mining Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho that the British company Shanta Gold Limited has discovered one of Kenya’s largest gold deposits, estimated at Ksh683 billion, in Kakamega County.
Speaking in an interview with Citizen TV on Thursday, November 13, Joho defended the decision to grant the mining firm exploration rights, adding that the actual value could be higher.
“It is true that gold worth Ksh680 billion has been discovered in Kakamega, but this is only part of the findings, and the actual value could be much higher,” the CS said.
CS Joho further revealed that in 2022, the government invested in an aerial geophysics survey to identify the locations of minerals in various parts of the country.
“We found several areas with occurrences of minerals, including gold, copper, cobalt, coltan, and others,” he added.
“In Kakamega, the prospecting phase is complete, and we are now progressing to mining licensing, after which extraction will begin.”
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