Ramula: Gem Member of Parliament Elisha Odhiambo has urged a gold mining company operating in Ramula, East Gem, to ensure adequate public participation before proceeding with a licence application for its mining activities. Odhiambo emphasized the importance of direct engagement with the local community, urging Shanta Gold Limited to avoid intermediaries who might falsify support through forged signatures.
According to Kenya News Agency, Odhiambo stressed the need for the company to consider the mineral reserves underground when preparing compensation packages for landowners who will be affected by the prospecting and mining activities. He highlighted the necessity for a fair and transparent process that benefits both the company and the local community.
Speaking after a church function at the Church of Christ in Africa, Odhiambo stated that public engagement should be prioritized to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome. He also advocated for compensation to reflect not only the market value of the land but also the potential value of the minerals beneath it.
The legislator's comments come amid concerns from residents who have accused the company of using coercive methods to acquire land. Community members, including Charles Oduor, Jane Owino, and Samuel Nyunja Obimbo, have called for an investigation into the legitimacy of the documentation Shanta Gold Limited submitted to the National Environment Management Authority and the Ministry of Mining.