NAIROBI, Kenya, April 8 – Residents of Siaya County have opposed the proposed Ramula-Mwibona gold mining and processing project in Ramula and Munungo villages spanning Siaya and Vihiga County.
Through Otieno Ogola & Company Advocates, the residents submitted a formal objection to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), challenging a planned public hearing on the project by Shanta Gold Kenya Limited.
The law firm argues that the company has failed to disclose the exact location and parcel numbers for the proposed mining area, exposing private and ancestral land to potential acquisition.
It further states that some of the land is privately owned and protected under the Constitution, requiring express consent from landowners before any mining activities can proceed—consent the firm says has not been obtained.
The lawyers also contend that part of the land is unregistered community land held in trust by the County Government of Siaya, and therefore cannot be used without approval from both the community and the county government.
“It is evident that Shanta Gold Kenya Limited has not secured express and unequivocal consent from the community,” the law firm stated.
The residents further allege that the company has already commenced prospecting activities without proper approvals and engaged in intimidation, manipulation, and other irregular practices to gain access to land.
They are now demanding an immediate halt to any public participation process related to the project.
The dispute comes amid growing interest in gold mining in western Kenya, following discoveries by Shanta Gold in Kakamega County, where deposits estimated at Sh680 billion were identified, with expected government earnings from royalties and levies.
