Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has maintained that no gold mining activities will be allowed to commence in Ikolomani until a win-win agreement is reached between investors and the local community.

Speaking during a public participation forum convened by the Senate Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources in Ikolomani on Monday, June 29, 2026, Khalwale said the people of Ikolomani, Shinyalu and Lurambi would not accept any mining project that failed to safeguard their interests.

“No mining activity should commence until we achieve a genuine win-win solution that protects our people while allowing responsible investment. I remain steadfast in defending the land, the livelihoods, and the future of the people of Kakamega. We welcome investment, but it must be just, inclusive, and beneficial to both our communities and the investors.”

The session was chaired by Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki, who doubles as the chairman of the Senate standing committee.

The public participation

Addressing representatives of Shanta Gold, the company expected to undertake gold extraction in the area, Khalwale argued that proceeds from the mining activities should be shared equally between the investors and the host communities on a 50-50 basis instead of the current proposal, which would see residents benefit through royalties.

“My message was clear and unequivocal: our people will not be displaced to create room for investors without a fair, transparent, and mutually beneficial agreement. The rights, livelihoods, and dignity of our communities are non-negotiable. Development must never come at the expense of the very people who have lived on and depended on this land for generations.”

The outspoken senator said he had presented the position of the people of Ikolomani, Shinyalu and Lurambi before the Senate committee, insisting that residents should not be displaced from their ancestral land to pave the way for investors without a fair, transparent and mutually beneficial agreement.

Khalwale’s rallying call

He maintained that the rights, livelihoods and dignity of the affected communities were non-negotiable and that development should never come at the expense of people who have lived on and depended on the land for generations.

He reiterated that he remained committed to defending the land, livelihoods and future of the people of Kakamega, adding that while the county welcomes investors, any investment must be fair, inclusive and beneficial to both the local communities and the investors.