Kakamega County Assembly is set to hear on Thursday this week petitions raised against gold mining in Ikolomani Sub-County of Kakamega County.

In a notice issued last Friday, the County Assembly has invited views from the public and other stakeholders by way of a written memorandum, in readiness for the hearing.

The petitions, to be heard by the assembly’s Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, Energy, Water and Climate Change, will be held at Malinya Stadium in Idakho Central Ward, according to the notice signed by the Assembly Clerk Donald Manyala.

“The committee has scheduled a petition hearing and public participation forum on Thursday, April 23, 2026, starting 9 am,” read the notice seen by the media.

The committee is currently considering a petition on the ongoing concerns in the gold mining areas of Isulu-Bushiangala in Ikolomani Sub-County filed by civil society organisations opposed to the proposed gold mining.

The petitions were filed last December by Nelly Madegwa of Msingi Adili, Nickson Murabwa (KCC), Brenda Oyiko(The Kaki Comm), Eliud Wanjala (Shabokee Stars) and Audrey Bigatih of G-to-W.

The petitioners have expressed dissatisfaction on various grounds, citing inadequate public participation and disclosure, lack of artisanal mining licensing, exclusion from decision-making, risk of displacement, threats of eviction from cultural heritage, environmental and health concerns. They have also cited economic displacement and lack of civic education to the affected stakeholders.

The petitioners are seeking the intervention of the County Assembly to recommend suspension of the proposed gold mining activities, until mandatory stakeholder engagement.

They also want the investor, Shanta Gold Company Limited to establish, develop and implement, a fair, transparent and lawful resettlement in accordance with the Mining Act 2016 and applicable human rights standards, sustainable mining practice and social impact, compensation and benefit-sharing mechanisms.

Principal Secretary for Mining Harry Kimtai, while speaking during an engagement with Members of Kakamega County Assembly in Kisumu early this month, assured that the government will follow the law.

The principal secretary assured land owners that their rights will be respected with public participation influencing the final decision on issuance of licence to Shanta Gold Company, which has been prospecting for the vital mineral, to embark on underground gold mining.

He, however, emphasised that all minerals in Kenya are vested in the State. Constitutionally belonging to the people of Kenya rather than individual landowners.

The assembly committee’s report will be vital in guiding the course of action on granting a licence to the company after expiry of 42 days from date of publication of notice and participation for or against the project.

Last December, two people were killed in the area after violent protests broke-out during a public participation forum called by the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) in the area.

The government has assured residents of tight security, warning that whoever will be found inciting the residents, will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By George Kaiga