Why Kakamega is in cold shivers

Ikolomani residents resist plans to vacate their ancestral lands, protest against Shanta Gold Company from carrying out gold exploration as irate residents lynch one resident to death.[Benjamin Sakwa,Standard]

All that glitters is not gold. This proverb now defines the mood among locals in Isulu-Bushiangala, Ikolomani Constituency, Kakamega County, and across Kenya following the discovery of multi-billion-shilling gold deposits.

What was once a source of hope and prosperity has quickly descended into bloodshed, death, unanswered questions and tears for hundreds of families now uncertain about their future.

Already, four people have been shot dead and several others injured while protesting against the mining firm and the alleged dubious relocation process meant to pave the way for Shanta Gold Limited.

To extract the gold, Shanta Gold says it requires at least 337 acres of land—most of it privately owned—potentially displacing close to 800 households. The company has identified six possible resettlement sites covering 1,932 acres and has offered affected families the option of either cash compensation or relocation.

Its feasibility study details plans for a modern underground mine powered by Long Hole Open Stoping (LHOS) technology, a 1,500-tonne-per-day processing plant, waste-rock dumps, tailings storage facilities and a 12-megawatt power station.

However, the plan is in doubt as residents have vowed to reject any attempt to force them out. They say the killing of four people last week has eliminated any possibility of relocation.

As some prepare to bury their loved ones, others remain in pain after police arrested 63 people over alleged incitement—an accusation they insist is false and aimed at intimidating locals into surrendering their land to the multi-billion-shilling project.

The village has become so tense and paranoid that any unfamiliar face is treated with suspicion, and gatherings are considered almost taboo.

Many residents are questioning the government’s determination to push through the extraction of the gold—valued at over Sh683 billion—with some suggesting a larger scandal could be brewing.

The thought of abandoning ancestral graves, schools they have invested in, and the history they have built in the community is unbearable for many.

Even more puzzling to them is the silence of senior government officials who appear to have endorsed the project despite widespread concerns.

For many families, the attempts to relocate them are unfathomable. They insist the land has been their livelihood and holds deep sentimental value.

According to 56-year-old artisanal miner Maclene Atanga, who owns three acres, the process is shrouded in secrecy and has been hijacked by brokers at both the national and county levels.

“We have never had a meeting with the investor, Shanta. When NEMA organised a public participation forum, we thought we would finally give our views. But we discovered NEMA was doing things in the dark through brokers to dupe our people using a few compromised individuals for forceful eviction,” said Atanga.

He said he has not been engaged on whether he should accept land-for-land or land-for-money compensation, insisting the community needs a clear roadmap and open engagement with the government and the investor.

Another resident, Nicholus Kambo, accused NEMA of undermining their efforts to engage the investor directly, describing the agency as the main obstacle.

“We are ready to talk with the investor, but not through NEMA and other political brokers. Our Senator Boni Khalwale and Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali have abandoned us. We will not give way until we agree under a 50-50 win situation,” said Kambo.

With growing fears that the project will be used as a smuggling base for gold across East Africa, locals are also questioning President Ruto’s silence.

“You want to sell your own people, President William Ruto? There is gold in Turkana and other counties—why focus only on Kakamega, specifically Ikolomani? We want transparency. We have seen sugar being smuggled and repackaged, and we suspect this is the plan with the gold so that a few benefit at the expense of poor Kenyans,” said a resident.

Lucy Mugala urged the government and the investor to engage locals directly and make the entire process transparent.

“Let it be open and transparent—not through bullets and bulldozing. The government is killing its own people for voicing their rights. Locals can’t get 10 percent of the project benefits when the gold is on our land,” said Mugala.

According to Geologist Job Onsomu, the Kakamega County Mining Officer (CMO), the Sh683 billion valuation was established using core drilling, where extracted samples are taken to a laboratory for analysis.

“Gold exploration has been ongoing for the last ten years. A core drilling machine goes down up to one kilometre, extracts rock deposits and they are analysed in a lab to identify gold content,” said Onsomu.

He explained that the gold is measured in grams per tonne, then valued according to current market price. He added that Shanta drilled 250 kilometres vertically, with one metre costing around Sh50,000.

Onsomu argued that underground mining technology means the company can extract gold without relocating most residents.

“Those to be relocated are those who must give space for the processing plant, offices and waste disposal sites. Not all residents will be relocated; the surrounding people can continue living there,” he said.

However, politics have clouded the process, with some unnamed leaders accused of inciting youth against the investor.

Yesterday, leaders from Western Kenya opposed the planned takeover of community land.
Led by Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, they said the government’s approval was opaque and akin to dispossessing locals of their ancestral wealth.

Natembeya criticised the firm’s bid to acquire 337 acres and displace more than 800 households in exchange for what he termed a “laughable” Sh3 billion compensation offer. He argued the offer does not match the Sh683 billion gold valuation.

“How can a community sitting on immense riches remain trapped in poverty?” he asked, comparing Kakamega to communities in Narok and Kajiado who he said “control their natural resources.”

Khalwale said the takeover was unlawful, insisting minerals belong to the people.

They also condemned the violent NEMA hearings that left several residents dead and dozens injured, alleging the tragedy exposed “a coordinated effort, backed by powerful unnamed government actors, to forcefully push foreign mining interests onto an unwilling community.”

Separately, Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa said he supports the investor, but adequate public participation must be conducted without political brokers.

“We support the investor because the project can transform Kakamega and Western Kenya. However, the process should not involve intimidation and blackmail. Let proper civic education and engagement be done,” said Barasa.

He acknowledged receiving an invitation from the investor and NEMA but emphasised that modern mining technology can allow extraction without relocating people.

Speaker James Namatsi echoed this view, calling for adequate public participation and involvement of all stakeholders.

“This is a huge project that can change lives. Enough engagement must be done and concerns addressed,” said Namatsi.

He accused the government of intimidating local leaders following the arrest of nominated MCAs Anne Mulwale and Akedias Liyayi.

“Our people and leaders are raising valid concerns. My two MCAs were in the county assembly doing their constitutional duties when they were arrested. Their only ‘mistake’ was to ask for open engagement—not incitement,” said Namatsi.

Despite concerns, government officials are attempting to reassure residents that they will be compensated.

On November 17, 2025, Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura told residents that Kenya’s mining laws guarantee transparency in revenue sharing. He cited the Mining Act, 2016, which allocates royalties as 70 percent to the national government, 20 percent to the county, and 10 percent to the local community.

Mwaura noted that mining companies must also invest 1 percent of annual gross sales in community development projects.

“Mines such as this have the potential to transform Western Kenya,” he said.

In early December, dozens of households submitted a detailed memorandum to NEMA rejecting the Shanta project unless safeguards, fair compensation and genuine consent are ensured. Residents argued that outreach was inadequate, notices were not translated into Kiswahili or Luhya, and consultations were shallow.

Meanwhile, the government has been cracking down on unregulated artisanal mining—a move seen as clearing the way for companies like Shanta. Authorities cite health and environmental concerns and have pushed for registration of miners’ associations and phasing out mercury.

Artisanal miners currently sell gold at about Sh10,000 per gram—a price they say barely sustains them.

Their representative, Jackson Kisia, said the sector has been sidelined and the Shanta deal proves the government’s lack of interest in upliftment.

“We are now the biggest losers as the state is openly in bed with foreign investors at the expense of its citizens,” said Kisia.

Some reforms—such as decriminalising artisanal mining—were meant to align the sector with the Mining Act, 2016 and ensure miners benefit from their labour.

“When Shanta came here, we agreed they would consult us before sinking shafts on our land after compensating us. Suddenly, we’re being told to leave our land for mining. This is unacceptable,” said resident Shem Shivachi.

Another resident, Clement Shisokha, said they “have been kept in the dark,” noting that crucial steps such as transparent audits, fair compensation and genuine consultations have not taken place.

On Friday, Western Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud said 63 people, including two MCAs, had been arrested over alleged incitement that led to the death of four people and destruction of property. He said they are tracing the flow of money allegedly used to mobilise locals and hire goons.

“We have arrested 63 people, including two MCAs, and we are pursuing more. We have a DCI team from Nairobi, and we will unearth the financiers of the money used to incite youths to cause chaos and disrupt a public meeting,” said Mohamud.

Additional reporting by Okumu Modachi