County gives nod for Sh680b gold mining project

GEORGE KAIGA-KNA

The Kakamega County Assembly has cleared the way for the underground extraction of gold deposits estimated to be worth Sh680 billion in Ikolomani Constituency after approving a private company’s bid to begin operations following months of public scrutiny.

Public forums were convened to address petitions by civil society groups and residents who raised concerns over land degradation, opaque compensation frameworks and the planned relocation of nearly 800 households from the proposed mining site.

In its report, the relevant assembly committee concluded that Shanta Gold Kenya had met the threshold for meaningful public participation and complied with the procedures prescribed under the Mining Act, 2016.

The company is now developing a resettlement action plan for affected households, which will be subjected to public scrutiny and independent validation to safeguard governance and human rights.

“A comprehensive resettlement action plan, including fair compensation, livelihood restoration measures and grievance redress mechanisms, must be publicly disclosed before land acquisition or resettlement,” the committee stated.

The report noted that existing engagement structures, including consultative forums, had provided adequate platforms for community input.

It further stated that environmental safeguards for River Yala and River Isiukhu, both of which fall within the project area, had been outlined in the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment report. 

Beyond environmental and social safeguards, the committee underscored the economic potential of formalising mining under a structured framework.

Unlike artisanal mining, which has long dominated Ikolomani, regulated large-scale mining is expected to create about 1,000 direct jobs and integrate local miners into formal employment and supply chains.

However, the committee urged the State Department for Mining, the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema), Shanta Gold Kenya and the County Government of Kakamega to issue formal permits to artisanal and smallscale miners.

The issue remains contentious, with artisanal miners demanding recognition and inclusion in the emerging mining economy.

The committee also called for the deliberate inclusion of vulnerable and marginalised groups, including women, youth and persons living with disabilities, in decision-making processes as the project advances.

The report is set to be tabled before the County Assembly for debate and adoption, a move that will determine whether Kakamega’s gold belt transitions into a regulated mining hub.

If approved, the project could reshape the county’s economic landscape by creating new livelihood opportunities while raising important questions about environmental stewardship and social justice.