The Government has committed to ensure that there will be a comprehensive public engagement of all stakeholders, before the proposed mining of Sh680 billion worth of gold discovered in Isulu- Bushangala in Ikolomani of Kakamega County, commences.
Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy, Ali Hassan Joho, in a joint press release after a consultative meeting with leaders from Kakamega County, the government affirmed to hold adequate consultation by all stakeholders, to deliver a win–win outcome for the community, the County, and the investor.
The leaders further committed to a transparent flow of factual information to the public throughout the process, marking a constructive beginning to dialogue, that aims to secure an inclusive and beneficial future for the people of the area.
The meeting comes in the wake of deaths of four people, scores injured and property of unknown value destroyed last Thursday, after a public participation meeting convened by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), turned chaotic.
The meeting was to discuss the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Study Report for the proposed underground gold mining project, by an international company, Shanta Gold.
Under the plan, the government is seeking to relocate over 800 households in an estimated 337 acres of land, to pave way for the exercise.
But a section of the residents stormed Imusali Primary School, the venue for the public participation, destroying and burning chairs, public address system and the Administration Block at the nearby Imusali Secondary School.
“We are aware of the need to ensure adequate consultation by all stakeholders and the constitutional and legal imperatives in inclusivity and public participation in the implementation of national projects, and the need for adoption of a structured approach to the proposed Shanta gold project”, the leaders resolved.
Over last weekend, the Kakamega County government shut down an artisanal gold mining site in the same area after a shaft collapsed killing three miners, adding to the rising concerns over safety amidst tension.
Under the mining Act, royalty payments for mineral extraction are determined by the gross value of sales, and are distributed as 70 percent to the National Government, 20 percent to the County Government and 10 percent to the local community, where mining occurs.
Present at the meeting were the Kakamega Governor, Fernandez Barasa, Ikolomani MP Benaerd Shinali, Speaker of the Kakamega County Assembly, James Namatsi, the Kakamega County Artisanal Mining Chairperson, Patrick Ligami and Idakho Central Member of the County Assembly (MCA), Acheadious Liyayi.
by George Kaiga
