A section of petitioners from Kakamega County has rejected the government’s plan to allow Shanta Gold Kenya Limited to mine gold in Isulu-Bushiangala, alleging that no meaningful public participation was conducted.
Appearing before the Senate Lands, Environment and Natural Resources Committee, Shanta Gold managers defended their processes, saying they were above board and that the community was adequately informed about the proposed mining of gold valued at over Sh680 billion in the county. They also maintained that no residents will be forcibly evicted from their land.
The petitioners, however, insist the process was flawed. The matter comes amid heightened sensitivity following an incident in December last year, when four people were killed during a public participation exercise by the National Environment Management Authority.
