Kakamega governor intervenes to end Ikolomani gold mining clashes
By Lutta Njomo, December 7, 2025Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has intervened to help end the deadly clashes in Ikolomani over plans to mine gold worth Ksh680 billion in the area.
The violent clashes between police and residents of Isulu, Ikolomani, have resulted in four deaths, with tension continuing to rise in the area.
Speaking on Saturday, December 6, 2025, Governor Barasa called on Shanta Gold, the investor interested in gold mining in the area, to employ modern methods to extract the precious stone.
The governor argued that modern mining technologies would help avoid relocating the families in the area.
“Msimamo yangu, it has always been for the people of Ikolomani kwa sababu. There is no way you can get an investor who is coming to relocate people,” the governor stated.
“Nowadays, we have important technology in mining. We must have a win-win situation because that investor, Shanta Gold, we as a county, we support mining, but we don’t support moving people without consultation,” he added.
Don’t politicise
While calling on the investor to consider using new mining methods, the first-time governor asked leaders not to politicise the issue. He implored area leaders to embrace dialogue to resolve the issue.
“I have challenged Shanta Gold to use modern methods to mine in Ikolomani without moving the people, and we should not politicise the issue,” Barasa remarked.
The protests erupted during a meeting convened by the Director-General of the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) to gather local community and stakeholder views on the proposed mining project, which includes relocating over 800 households.
The four fatalities occurred after police opened fire during confrontations with residents who were pelting them with stones. Two police officers, a male and a female, were critically injured after rioters attacked them with metal bars and clubs.
Several roads were also blocked by the protesting residents, who have been joined by several leaders from the region, calling for the halting of the project.