State moves to quell uncertainty over Sh683 billion gold project

Ikolomani residents resist plans to vacate their ancestral lands following deadly protests. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Barely two months following deadly protests that left four dead against underground mining of Sh683 billion gold deposits by Shanta Gold Limited Company, the national and county governments have moved to quell the tension and uncertainty among locals of Ikolomani.

An 11-member committee has been formed to unlock gold potential in Western. On Friday, Mining Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai and Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa held a meeting with miners, landowners and a commercial investor to stabilise and formalise the sector in five constituencies of Ikolomani, Khwisero, Lurambi, Shinyalu and Butere.

Governor Barasa said the latest talks build on an agreement reached in November last year between the county leadership and the Ministry of Mining and Blue Economy.

“We agreed that the government must take the lead in sensitising communities on gold mining. That commitment has now been followed up with a fresh meeting led by the PS, bringing together landowners from Bushangala, Isulu and Ikolomani,” Barasa said.

Barasa spoke during a press conference after the engagements with miners and local leaders. “The committee will act as a structured channel through which community concerns, land issues and benefit-sharing arrangements will be addressed,” he said.

He reiterated the county’s support for mining activities, including operations by Shanta Gold, describing the sector as a potential economic game changer for Kakamega.

He emphasised that revenue-sharing arrangements are clearly stipulated in law and urged leaders to allow the process to proceed without political interference. “Mining can transform Kakamega County if we handle it responsibly. I call on political leaders to support this initiative and help depoliticise it so that our people can fully benefit from this natural resource,” he said.

PS Kimutai said he had been mandated to lead government engagement with miners and landowners, marking what he described as the beginning of structured consultations on the ground.

“The 11-member committee will engage directly with the ministry, the investor and landowners. This process is critical in paving the way for the investor to commence mineral extraction,” Kimutai said.

He added that the benefits of the project would extend beyond Kakamega to neighbouring counties, while assuring communities that revenue-sharing mechanisms had been clearly explained.