Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho has confirmed the discovery of gold deposits valued at Ksh680 billion in Kakamega County and outlined measures to ensure that the local community benefits from the find.
In an interview on Thursday, November 13, Joho assured residents living near the mining site that their interests would be protected through formal agreements between investors and the local community.
“It is true that gold worth Ksh680 billion has been discovered in Kakamega, but that is only part of the find, it could be even bigger.
“The community surrounding the mining area should not worry about whether they will benefit from it, because as the Cabinet Secretary, I will ensure that there is an agreement between the investor and the community,” he stated.
Joho noted that the government would hold talks with landowners to ensure fair compensation and protection of property rights.
“There will be discussions with the landowners around the area to ensure they are secure and get value for their land; people cannot just be displaced,” he added.
Joho also clarified that artisanal mining would not be feasible for most residents due to the depth of the gold deposits.
He explained that extracting the mineral would require advanced machinery, technical know-how, and significant financial resources.
“Not everyone can mine gold because it lies 1-2 kilometers underground, which requires special equipment, experience, expertise, technology, and major investment. The investment plan that Shanta Gold has brought to the ministry is worth $510 million,” he further said.
Joho further revealed that the government has established a gold refinery in a bid to curb the export of raw minerals and increase transparency in the sector.
“As a government, we have built a gold refinery, meaning we will not export raw gold. We will process our gold into bullion to ensure high accountability,” he stated.
