The tense events in Kakamega on Thursday left the community in shock as a protest that started peacefully quickly turned deadly. Many residents of Isulu in Ikolomani constituency came out to oppose the planned relocation linked to a major gold mining project by Shanta Gold Company.
What followed was a violent confrontation that resulted in the deaths of at least three people and injuries to several others, including police officers and journalists who were at the scene.
The trouble began when officials from the National Environment Management Authority and investors from Shanta Gold Company arrived in the area for a public participation forum. The meeting was meant to discuss the relocation plans that would affect more than 800 households after the discovery of gold deposits valued at Ksh683 billion.
However, residents were already angered by the idea of losing their land, and many felt that the process was being forced on them without proper consultation.
When the officials attempted to access Emusali Primary School, where the forum was scheduled to take place, residents blocked the entrance and demanded that the meeting should not continue. The situation quickly escalated as more villagers joined the demonstration. Roads in Ikolomani town were blocked with rocks, and protesters lit a bonfire, making it impossible for vehicles to pass.
Businesses were disrupted as shop owners shut doors in fear of the spreading violence.
As police tried to control the crowd, chaos erupted. A police report later stated that most of the people injured or killed were believed to be goons allegedly hired to attack journalists who were covering the protests.
However, the events unfolded so fast that many residents were left confused and terrified by the level of force used during the confrontation.
This violent clash happened just two weeks after Mining Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai held a consultative meeting with Shanta Gold Company officials. The meeting focused on mining activities in Western Kenya, especially in Siaya, Vihiga, and Kakamega counties.
Their discussions highlighted the strategies and commitments needed to ensure that mining projects bring positive long-term benefits to local communities. For the people of Isulu, the latest incident has raised questions about whether such promises can be trusted.
The tension in the area can also be linked to a recent announcement made one month earlier when Shanta Gold confirmed the discovery of gold deposits worth Ksh683 billion in Isulu and Bushiangala. The company received government approval to move forward with the project and later stated that it planned to invest between Ksh22 billion and Ksh27 billion to build an underground mine and a processing plant. According to sources, the project is expected to operate for at least eight years, with a chance of being extended if further exploration reveals more minerals.
