British mining firm, Shanta Gold Company, has embarked on building houses to relocate people that will be affected by the open-pit mining project in Ramula, Gem, in Yala Sub-County.

The company, which already has the greenlight to carry out the project in the area, has begun transitioning by first building model houses for people in Gem constituency.

Speaking at Gem Wagai Sub-County headquarters after leading the county security team and other stakeholders on a tour of the settlement sites, Siaya County Commissioner Nobert Komora said the houses under construction are meant for the vulnerable in the community.

“The houses are for the project affected persons who are vulnerable,” the administrator said. He revealed that 1,286 households will be affected by the gold mining project.

He said people who feel they may squander the money before getting a place to settle will be given priority if they chose to be considered for the model houses under construction by the company.

“Shanta Gold has been issued with a mining licence and relocation of people is inevitable,” Komora said.

He explained that an implementation committee that comprises several national government departments and the Siaya County government has been formed to oversee the process.

“The open-pit mining that will take place at Ramula will affect eight villages – seven in Gem Yala Sub-County and one in Gem Wagai Sub-County,” Komora said.

He pointed out that discussions are going on between the investor and the community affected.

“The government does not want to forcibly evict people from the targeted area. Relocation has to be done on a voluntary basis and humanely,” the commissioner said.

The houses under construction are modern and an upgrade from some of the houses and environments that the targeted persons are living in currently.

Shanta Gold Company geologist Austine Ochieng said the houses that will be used to resettle the project affected persons were determined based on the existing international standards.

“We shall not deviate from the international standards; the project affected persons will decide where they are most comfortable to resettle,” he said.

He also pointed out that the affected community members will also be given disturbance allowances to support them further.

Jotham Obiero, 78, one of the affected persons expressed reservations on the standards of the houses. “I have seen the houses. According to me, the quality is low compared to the house I am living in now. I will discuss with the concerned parties and reach amicable understanding,” he said.

The residents from Mabinju village where Shanta Gold purchased land to resettle those to be affected have also expressed concerns over the character of people likely to settle in their midst.

Led by Evans Otieno and Teddy Obonyo, they said those to be settled in their midst must be vetted by security agents to ensure that only good ones are allowed into their community.

“We are demanding to know the identity and backgrounds of all the people that are going to settle here,” Otieno said.

He observed that the County Commissioner and his team together with Shanta Gold must hold a baraza and convince them that criminals will not be allowed into Mabinju village.

The villagers, among them Ms Margaret Aloo observed that they will not allow social misfits to settle amongst them.

“We do not want people who will become a nuisance after they squander their relocation money,” said Teddy Obonyo.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Philip Onyango