In the wake of bloody conformations that that have so far claimed three lives in western Kenya’s Kakamega goldmines, the national government says it is committed to ensuring there will be a comprehensive public engagement before mining of the Ksh700 billion ($5.4 billion) worth of gold discovered at Isulu and Bushangala in Ikolomani constituency, commences.

Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy Ali Hassan Joho, in a joint press release after a consultative meeting with leaders in Kakamega County, the government affirmed to hold adequate consultation by all stakeholders, to deliver a win-win outcome for the community, the county and the investor.

The leaders further committed to a transparent flow of factual information to the public throughout the process, marking a constructive beginning to dialogue to secure an inclusive and mutually beneficial future for the people of the area.

The meeting comes in the wake of deaths of four people, scores injured and property of unknown value destroyed last Thursday, after a public participation meeting convened by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), turned chaotic.

The meeting was to discuss the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Study Report for the proposed underground gold mining project, by an international company, Shanta Gold.

Under the plan, the government is seeking to relocate over 800 households in an estimated 337 acres of land, to pave way for the exercise.

But a section of the residents stormed Imusali Primary School, the venue for the public participation, destroying and burning chairs, public address system and offices of nearby Imusali Secondary School.

“We are aware of the need to ensure adequate consultation by all stakeholders and the constitutional and legal imperatives in inclusivity and public participation in the implementation of national projects and the need for adoption of a structured approach to the proposed Shanta gold project,” one of the leaders said.

Over last weekend, the Kakamega County government shut down an artisanal gold mining site in the same area after a shaft collapsed, killing three miners, adding to the rising concerns over safety amidst tension.

Under the Mining Act, royalty payments for mineral extraction are determined by the gross value of sales and are distributed as 70 per cent to the national government, 20 per cent to the county government and 10 per cent to the local community, where mining occurs.

Present at the meeting were the Kakamega Governor Fernandez Barasa, Ikolomani MP Benaerd Shinali, Speaker of Kakamega County Assembly James Namatsi, Kakamega County Artisanal Mining Chair Patrick Ligami and Idakho Central Member of the County Assembly (MCA),  Acheadious Liyayi.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By George Kaiga