Vihiga: Vihiga Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo convened a consultative meeting with Shanta Gold Kenya Company and the artisanal miners association to discuss gold mining activities in the county. The meeting follows concerns raised about the operations of Shanta Gold Kenya, an East Africa-focused gold exploration company, which is currently prospecting in the Mwibona area, in Luanda Sub County.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Ottichilo called for collaboration among stakeholders and involvement of locals before undertaking mining activities. He emphasized the need for the investor to forge a cordial relationship with community members to earn their trust, paving the way for a smooth mineral exploration exercise. The governor added that the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) will develop an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESEA) report to guide the issuance of licenses to artisanal miners. He stated that they aim to streamline the artisanal mining sector to make it viable while ensuring the security of miners and environmental protection.
Meanwhile, the county has handed over the Esirulo market site in Central Bunyore ward in the same Luanda sub-county for the construction of an ultramodern market under the Economic Stimulus Programme, jointly implemented by the county and national government. The governor mentioned that the market targets small-scale traders and will accommodate 204 stall owners. The one-storey building will include stalls, a storage facility, cold room, and administrative offices on the ground floor. The first floor will feature office space, a revenue collection centre, an Information Communication Technology (ICT) hub, a social hall, a food court, and an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) lobby.