Western Kenya is extending its reputation as the country’s mythical El Dorado – an ancient underground city whose roads and buildings were paved with gold – after the government gave the greenlight to an unnamed foreign company to commence mining in Alupe.

Gold of commercial value has also been discovered in Kakamega, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia and Busia, in addition to Turkana and Elgeyo Marakwet counties in northwestern Kenya.

However, as has been the case with illegal fishing in Lake Victoria, Kenya must first fend off Ugandan businessmen that are accused of illicit gold extraction in Alupe for decades to the extent posing a serious security threat in western Kenya.

On June 31, Principal Secretary in State Department of Mining Harry Kimtai announced that Kenya is ready to kick off commercial gold mining in Alupe, Busia County, to expand revenue streams of the national and county governments.

Speaking in Samia Sub-County, Kimtai said the government had already identified a company that will immediately commence mining gold. He did not disclose the name of the company – whether it is local or foreign.

“We have awarded the mineral rights to a company that will start mining gold in the Alupe area in Teso South Sub-County. The time has come for us to start mining our gold so our people can benefit from it,” he said.

He pointed out that the community and the government will benefit from the sale of Alupe gold.

“According to the structure for royalties, 70 per cent will be going to the national government. County government will get 20 per cent while the community will benefit with 10 per cent.  There will also be 1 per cent of the total gross sale that will go to community work to help in development and empowering the people in the county. There will be a place allocated to the members of the public for artisanal mining,” he explained.

The principal secretary explained that the complaint that is raised often about Kenyan gold being mined foreigners from neighbouring country – Uganda – is going to be addressed soon.

“I am going to send a team from the state department of mining to come and do an assessment of any interference with mining of our minerals by our neighbours. There have been many complaints from leaders and the public about our minerals are being stolen through clandestine mining. We want ensure that our minerals are safe,” he said.

The official also urged the local residents to support the government’s development initiatives.

“The government has initiated many projects to help people. This will not be possible if we don’t support it, starting from Social Health Authority to help everyone regardless of your financial status to access education. All this needs your support as Kenyans,” he said.

Busia Governor Paul Otuoma echoed the principal secretary’s sentiments, pointing out that the only way to get more development is by working closely with the government.

“Working closely with the government guarantees us more development. We have seen what the national government is doing to us from the markets, roads and even agriculture. This cannot happen if you don’t work closely with the government,” he said

“The government has already advertised the construction of a ring road from Matayos to Sio Port. It has elevated Bumbe Technical College to a national polytechnic. They are doing a very huge project of EPZ at Nasewa and all these are helping to change the life of our people” he said.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Salome Alwanda and Rodgers Omondi