Governor Barasa suspends gold mining over heavy rains

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has suspended gold mining in the county due to heavy rains pounding the region.

The governor said the safety of gold mines cannot be guaranteed during the rainy season.

Barasa who joined local journalists in marking the World Press Freedom Day in Kakamega town said he will not sit and watch as artisanal miners risk their lives venturing into gold mines amid the heavy rains known to weaken mining shafts.

"Because of the heavy downpour and the raging floods it is important that we halt gold mining activities which put the lives of our miners at risk," he said.

"We know mining is part of our people's livelihood and they earn from the venture but it is important to save lives as part of mitigation plans as we wait for normalcy to return in the county and other parts of the country," he added.

The governor said with the heavy rainfall, cases of collapsing toilets have been recorded in some local schools in areas such as Matungu, Mumias West, Lugari and Khwisero sub-counties which border River Nzoia.

"We have recorded cases of sinking toilets in Matungu and Mumias constituencies and we have already deployed our teams on the ground to assist and arrest the situation," he said.

Barasa noted that the rain has damaged roads in Ingolomosio in Shinyalu constituency and Chevaywa in Matungu.

He said that the rains have affected crops in Matungu, Khwisero, Lugari and Matungu constituencies and agricultural officers are on the ground assessing the damage and helping the affected farmers.

The governor urged journalists to use their platforms to create public awareness of environmental conservation.

He directed Shanta Gold Company to stop mining activities in Ikolomani to pave the way for open discussion with local leaders and the residents on how they are going to benefit from the gold prospect.

"I want to state that there is not a single person who is going to be evicted to pave the way for gold exploration by any company. I want to tell Shanta to stop their mining activities until a solution is found on how our people are going to benefit. We do not want our people to be exploited and yet they are the owners of the land," said Barasa.

The governor's sentiments come barely a week after Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale led Ikolomani residents in rejecting any gold exploration activities by Shanta Gold Company saying that the company wants to relocate locals and yet they have not benefited in any way from the presence of the company in area for the last 20 years.

Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali, who supports the exploration of gold by Shanta Gold company is expected to hold a public participation forum at Musingu Primary School to discuss the activities of the company in the area.