Three men are dead in Ikolomani, their blood staining the very soil believed to hold a fortune. The killings erupted on Thursday when police opened fire on residents protesting a plan that could see a UK-based firm, Shanta Gold Limited, begin mining in the region.

This is not merely a dispute; it is a battle for survival. At stake is the fate of over 800 households facing relocation from their ancestral land to pave the way for a project valued at an estimated KES 683 billion. For the artisanal miners of Kakamega, the promise of corporate wealth feels like a direct threat to the only livelihood they have ever known.

The violence ignited at what was intended to be a public participation forum at Emusali Primary School, organised by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). Witnesses reported that the meeting was violently disrupted when youths armed with crude weapons stormed the venue. Police allege they were attacked by over 500 youths, prompting them to open fire. Western Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamoud described the deceased as “hired goons under the command of local politicians,” a claim that has deepened community anger.

A Fortune Underfoot, A Community in Turmoil

The conflict is rooted in the vast gold deposits confirmed in the Isulu-Bushiangala area. Shanta Gold was granted a license to begin mining, a move supported by the Ministry of Mining as a transformative investment for the region. However, the project requires acquiring approximately 337 acres of privately owned land, a fact that has stoked fierce resistance.

Residents voiced strong opposition, citing fears of inadequate compensation and the destruction of their homes and heritage. “We agreed that they would agree with us before sinking shafts on our land,” one resident stated. “All of a sudden, we're now being told we should leave our land for mining. It is unacceptable.”

The chaos on Thursday left a trail of destruction, with protesters blocking roads with bonfires and vandalizing property. In the melee, at least six other people were injured, including two police officers and several journalists who were attacked, with their equipment stolen or destroyed.

An Uneasy Calm and a Call for Justice

In the aftermath, local leaders are divided. Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has previously sided with residents opposing the project, while Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali has reportedly supported the investor, highlighting a political rift that complicates any resolution.

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa confirmed the tragedy and called for an immediate investigation. “No disagreement should ever lead to loss of life or destruction of property,” Barasa urged, appealing for calm as security is reinforced in the area.

While an uneasy calm settles over Ikolomani, the fundamental conflict remains unresolved. For hundreds of families, the question is stark: will the billions buried beneath their feet translate into a better future, or will it cost them their homes, their livelihoods, and more lives?