Governor Natembeya Joins Ikolomani Resistance Against Shanta Gold Mining Project

 

Tensions over the proposed Shanta Gold Limited mining project escalated on Saturday after Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya issued a strongly worded statement declaring full opposition to the company’s planned takeover of land in Ikolomani, Kakamega County.

In the statement titled “TAWE to Foreign Gold Mining in Ikolomani,” Governor Natembeya accused the British-owned firm of attempting to dispossess local residents of their ancestral wealth through “opaque operations” and inadequate compensation.

Shanta Gold is seeking rights to approximately 337 acres, a move that would reportedly affect more than 800 households. According to the Governor, the company intends to extract gold valued at KSh 683 billion while offering residents only KSh 3 billion in compensation.

Natembeya condemned the plans as exploitative and alleged the involvement of “powerful local actors” facilitating foreign interests at the expense of the community.

Community Outrage Following Fatal NEMA Hearings

The Governor referenced recent National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) hearings related to the project, where chaos led to fatalities and injuries. He described the events as evidence of the community’s overwhelming opposition and the dangers of forcing through the project.

“How can a community sitting on immense riches remain trapped in poverty?” he asked, insisting that Ikolomani residents must control the entire gold value chain — from extraction to refining.

Comparisons to Other Regions

Natembeya questioned why communities in Narok and Kajiado enjoy significant control over their natural resources, while the Abaluhyia continue to face dispossession. He argued that Western Kenya deserves the same autonomy and benefit from its mineral wealth.

“As Abaluhyia, we say TAWE — No — to foreign control of the wealth God placed in our land,” he declared.

Concerns Over Environmental and Social Impact

The statement sharply criticized the proposed Isulu–Bushiangala project, saying it threatens the livelihoods of artisanal miners, undermines institutions such as Sigalagala Polytechnic, and endangers a sensitive water catchment area.

Natembeya argued that the initiative violates the spirit of Kenya’s 2024 Mining Regulations, which emphasize local equity participation. Drawing on past experiences in Kwale and Turkana, he warned that such projects have historically brought environmental contamination, displacement of families, minimal royalties, and limited community benefit.

He questioned why hundreds of households should be displaced for a fraction of the value of the gold deposits and why locals should be compensated for wealth that rightly belongs to them instead of being empowered to own and manage the resource.

Proposal for a Western Kenya “Gold City”

Natembeya outlined an alternative development model that places full ownership and control of Ikolomani’s gold value chain in the hands of the community and local governments. His proposal envisions counties in Western Kenya acquiring majority ownership of mining operations through public investment funds, ensuring that benefits flow back to residents.

He further proposed that every Ikolomani resident be recognized as a shareholder in a community-owned mining and refinery enterprise. Under this model, the current settlement would be transformed into a modern “Gold City,” providing improved housing, schools, health facilities, and infrastructure — without evictions.

The Governor also emphasized that mining, refining, jewelry production, and export should all be undertaken locally to retain profits in the region and create thousands of jobs. He noted that the plan aligns with the African Mining Vision and successful small-scale mining empowerment models in other African countries.

Firm Stand Against Evictions

Natembeya concluded by reiterating that Ikolomani’s gold belongs to its people and vowed to oppose any efforts to displace residents or hand over the resource to foreign companies.

“The time has come for Western Kenya to reclaim its wealth,” he said. “TAWE. Not on our land. Not in this generation.”

The statement positions the Trans Nzoia Governor as a prominent political ally of Ikolomani residents as the dispute over Shanta Gold’s proposed mining project continues to intensify.