A high-stakes confrontation is unfolding in Kakamega County, where residents of the Isulu-Bushiangala area in Ikolomani sub-county have unequivocally rejected a proposed large-scale gold mining operation by Shanta Gold, a British firm. At the heart of the dispute are deep-seated fears of displacement, inadequate compensation, loss of livelihoods for artisanal miners, and the desecration of ancestral graves. More than 10,000 households have vowed not to relocate to pave the way for the project, which targets one of East Africa's most significant gold deposits.

The controversy centres on the Lirhanda Corridor, a mineral-rich belt stretching across Kakamega, Vihiga, Siaya, and Kisumu counties. Initial exploration by Acacia Mining, another British company, first identified inferred deposits of 1.31 million ounces of gold, valued at the time at approximately KSh 171 billion. Shanta Gold, which later acquired the project, has since reported even larger potential finds, with some estimates valuing the total deposits at a staggering KSh 683 billion ($5.28 billion). The company plans a KSh 27 billion capital investment to establish an underground mine with an eight-year lifespan, projecting significant royalties for the national and county governments.

Community Mistrust and Demands for Dialogue

Despite the potential economic windfall, the local community remains fiercely opposed, citing a profound lack of trust in the investor. Residents and local leaders accuse Shanta Gold of operating secretively and attempting to acquire land without direct engagement or public participation. "We want the investor to come out in the open and talk to us directly," demanded Nicholas Gambo, a resident, on Wednesday, 12th November 2025. This sentiment was echoed by Kakamega's Deputy Governor, Ayub Savula, who stated the county government would not permit the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to issue a license without proper public consultation. A planned NEMA public hearing on the project's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) scheduled for Wednesday, 12th November 2025, was abruptly cancelled due to what the authority termed "unavoidable circumstances," further fueling community suspicion.

The community's resistance is also rooted in economic self-preservation. For generations, artisanal mining has been a primary source of income in Ikolomani. Small-scale miners, who can earn around KSh 500 per day, fear the large-scale operation will render them jobless and exploit local labour with lower pay. "We are sure that the proposed company will not manage to pay our youth an equal amount to what they earn now," stated resident Ms. Mugala. Many are calling for investment in modern equipment for local miners rather than a complete takeover by a foreign entity.

A History of Gold and Grievances

Kakamega is no stranger to gold rushes, having experienced a significant boom in the 1930s that attracted prospectors from across the globe and led to the establishment of operations like the Rosterman Gold Mines. That historical precedent, however, offers little comfort to current residents who fear a repeat of resource exploitation with minimal local benefit. The current conflict highlights a critical national issue: balancing foreign investment in the extractive sector with the constitutional requirements to protect community land rights and ensure equitable benefit-sharing.

Under the Mining Act of 2016, a royalty-sharing formula dictates that the national government retains 70%, the county government receives 20%, and the local community is entitled to 10%. Shanta Gold would also be required to contribute an additional 1% of the value of gold produced directly to the host community under a Community Development Agreement. However, these legal frameworks have not been enough to assuage the fears of the Ikolomani community, who feel their voices and fundamental connection to their land are being ignored. The displacement of an estimated 800 households and the potential environmental impact on the Yala and Isiukhu river catchments are major points of contention.

The Path Forward: A Test for Kenya's Mining Policy

The standoff in Kakamega presents a crucial test for the administration of Mining Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho and the broader Kenyan government. The government has expressed its intent to formalize the artisanal mining sector and develop local processing capacity, including plans for a gold refinery in Kakamega. Yet, the current impasse reveals a significant disconnect between national policy and local reality. As Deputy Governor Savula and community members have made clear, any path forward must involve transparent, direct, and respectful engagement that prioritizes the rights and livelihoods of the people who call Kakamega home. The resolution of this conflict will have far-reaching implications for how Kenya manages its natural resources and whether the immense wealth beneath the soil will benefit the many or a select few. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED.