The national government has intensified efforts to unlock Vihiga County’s mining potential, following high-level talks between the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Hassan Ali Joho and Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichillo.
The discussions, held at the Vihiga County Headquarters, focused on mining opportunities, ongoing exploration activities, and future investment plans aimed at transforming the county’s mineral sector into a key driver of economic growth.
Joho commended the county government for its cooperation with Shanta Gold, noting that the firm’s investment is expected to modernise mining practices while creating sustainable economic opportunities for local communities.
“There is a high likelihood of discovering more resources, with extraction expected to go as deep as approximately one kilometre, with current findings at about 980 metres,” he said.
The CS added that further exploration could extend to depths of up to two kilometres, a process that would require advanced technology and significant engineering capacity.
Joho noted that the cost of extracting minerals at a depth of one kilometre is estimated at $510 million, a level of investment the government currently does not have, cautioning against informal or unregulated large-scale extraction activities.
At the same time, the CS emphasized that the government will support artisanal miners by organising them into structured groups to improve efficiency, safety and profitability.
“We will work with the county government to establish aggregation centres where artisanal miners can sell their gold and receive fair value for their labour,” he said.
He warned against illegal mining operations, stating that individuals exploiting residents through unregulated mechanised small-scale mining will face action.
Joho further revealed that the local community is entitled to one per cent of gross mining revenue. With projected revenues estimated at Sh680 billion, residents stand to benefit from approximately Sh6.8 billion in shared earnings.
“This is a major opportunity for local communities to directly benefit from natural resources in their area,” he said.
On granite mining, the CS disclosed that geological surveys have confirmed vast deposits in Vihiga, capable of sustaining extraction for over 100 years without depletion.
Despite this abundance, he noted that the county has not fully benefited from the resource and pledged to initiate structured granite mining projects to position Vihiga as a major supplier in the continent.
“My team will adopt the best global models to ensure successful implementation of granite mining in Vihiga,” Joho stated.
Dr. Ottichilo expressed concern over illegal mining activities, noting that efforts by both national and county governments to regulate the sector have faced resistance from some operators.
“The national government has facilitated a major investor, Shanta Gold, which has conducted exploration in Vihiga for the last eight years and is now ready to commence full-scale mining,” he said.
The governor added that illegal mining had previously slowed down progress but expressed optimism that strengthened collaboration between the two levels of government would provide a clear path forward for structured development.
Dr. Ottichilo also welcomed renewed efforts to develop granite mining, noting that approximately 30 per cent of Vihiga County is covered by rock deposits with significant economic potential.
“We had earlier engaged an investor who did not materialise, but I am encouraged by the Ministry’s renewed commitment to move the project forward,” he said.
The governor stressed that proper regulation and investment would ensure communities benefit from the county’s mineral wealth while protecting them from exploitation.
Principal Secretary in the State Department for Mining, Harry Kimtai, said the agreement between the national and county governments marks a key milestone in streamlining mining operations in the region.
“We have agreed to implement and enhance mining directives as guided by the Cabinet Secretary and the Governor to ensure the sector benefits both government and local communities,” said Kimtai.
By Yvonne Misango and Florence Oteng’o
