Sifuna, Osotsi hold talks with Western Kenya elders over Ikolomani gold dispute
By Mabonga Makhanu, December 11, 2025Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Senators Edwin Sifuna of Nairobi and Geoffrey Osotsi of Vihiga have engaged with elders from the Mulembe region to address the Ikolomani gold mining issue and other challenges affecting the area.
The discussions, which took place on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at Shanta Hotel, focused on enhancing accountability and ensuring benefit-sharing in gold mining operations planned in Ikolomani and Vihiga County by Shanta Gold, including the need for genuine public participation in the decision-making process.
“Greater accountability and benefit-sharing in the gold mining activities in Ikolomani and Vihiga County where Shanta Gold intends to undertake mining, including the need to hold genuine public participation,” they stated
The consultations brought together elders under the Luhya Elders Forum, a body representing leadership and wisdom from all 38 constituencies of the Luhya community.
“Today, I joined our respected elders under the Luhya Elders Forum, a body that brings together wisdom and leadership from all 38 constituencies of our great Luhya nation,” they added.
During the meeting, the senators also briefed the elders on the current activities within the ODM Party and clarified issues raised by the community, emphasising the party’s commitment to addressing local concerns.
Key issues highlighted by the elders included the revival and protection of the sugar industry, accountability and benefit-sharing in the gold mining activities in Ikolomani and Vihiga, and attention to concerns regarding the proposed nuclear project in Siaya, which could have regional implications.
The meeting was held at Sheywe Guest House in Kakamega and was chaired by prominent figures, including Patrick Wangamati, Noah Wekesa, Fred Omido, and Peter Ludava.
According to the duo, the engagement served as a reminder to the senators of their responsibility to serve the community and uphold the interests of the Luhya people.
The Ikolomani gold issue has drawn attention from across the country after an estimated Ksh680 million worth of the precious metal was discovered beneath the surface and is set to be extracted.
The stalemate
A foreign company has been granted access to mine the resource, leading to a push-and-pull situation with the locals, who are facing eviction to make way for the mining operations.
This has resulted in a confrontation between the police and young men who have traditionally depended on the gold for their livelihoods and have used customary methods to extract it.
Kakamega Governor Fernandez Barasa has pledged to intervene to resolve the stalemate and has urged the investor responsible for mining the gold to employ local residents and to use modern technology in the extraction process.