County sets aside Sh100 million for calamities

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and his Deputy Ayub Savula during Mashujaa Day celebrations in Lugari sub-county on October 20, 2023. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Kakamega county government has set aside Sh100 million for emergencies including perennial accidents in gold mines.

Governor Fernandes Barasa said the allocation will cushion residents against all emergencies other than the expected El Nino rains.

"As a county, we have earmarked Sh100 million for disaster management whether predicted El-Nino rains will be there or not, we would like to cushion our people, especially artisanal miners against accidents that occur in the mines," he said.

He said the county was prone to mudslides and related accidents during heavy rains. "It is better to put in place measures to prevent such eventualities instead of dealing with devastating effects," he said.

Mr Barasa said his administration has made arrangements to prevent calamities. "We have the personnel and adequate equipment, so far, we have intensified surveillance in areas prone to disasters including Kuvasali hills in Kakamega North as well as Ikolomani and Rosterman where artisanal miners have died in the past."

The governor said he has instructed the Ministry of Disaster Management and Preparedness to fast-track resettling people who live near River Nzoia in Navakholo and Mumias West.

"I have instructed the ministry concerned in collaboration with the national government to oversee the resettlement of residents to higher grounds," he said Barasa.

Shinyalu mining committee chairman Samwel Njomo said the occurrence of heavy rains and lack of proper mining materials like oxygen cylinders expose miners to dangers.