Stop fuelling confusion over Kakamega gold, Savula tells Gachagua

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa (third right) and his deputy Ayub Savula during this year’s Jamhuri Day celebrations in Kakamega town /HILTON OTENYO

Tensions over the discovery and planned mining of gold in Ikolomani have resurfaced, with Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula urging former DP Rigathi Gachagua to stop what he termed as reckless statements that risk fueling anxiety and confusion among local residents.

Savula took issue with Gachagua’s claim that the value of gold deposits in Ikolomani stands at Sh6 trillion, insisting that the figure is exaggerated and politically motivated.

According to the deputy governor, official assessments place the value of the gold at about Sh680 billion, a figure he said was arrived at through geological and economic evaluations.

He challenged Gachagua to publicly explain the methodology used to arrive at the Sh6 trillion estimate, arguing that unsubstantiated figures only complicate an already sensitive process.

Savula said the county government is committed to working closely with the national government to ensure that mining activities are carried out transparently and in a manner that benefits local communities.

Gachagua, speaking during an interview on a local television station on Wednesday, claimed that the value of the gold discovered by Shanta Gold International had been grossly understated.

He questioned the proposed acquisition of 338 acres of land for the project, noting that about 800 residents face displacement, and argued that the stakes involved were far higher than what the government had disclosed.

Savula warned that Ikolomani residents require clear, factual and consistent information, especially as discussions shift towards large-scale mining.

He said inflaming emotions with conflicting figures could undermine public trust and derail consultations meant to guide communities through the process.

Amid the growing debate, Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, county parliamentary caucus chairman Bernard Shinali and county mining committee chairman Patrick Ligami on Wednesday held a consultative meeting with Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho and Mining Principal Secretary Henry Kimtai. The meeting focused on the proposed Sh680 billion gold project and the way forward.

The leaders agreed on the need for a unified communication strategy to ensure the public receives accurate and timely information.

They also resolved to adopt a structured approach to the Shanta Gold project, aimed at safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders while delivering a win-win outcome.

The controversy has also drawn in cultural leaders, with a section of Luhya elders demanding to be included in discussions around the Ikolomani gold, saying community voices must be heard in decisions that affect land and livelihoods.

Earlier, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura assured residents that anyone displaced by the project would be compensated adequately and in accordance with the law before relocation, as the debate over one of Kenya’s most significant mineral finds continues to unfold.