Kakamega: Three people killed, 25 police officers injured in clashes over Ksh.680B gold project

Tension is high in Ikolomani, Kakamega County, after a day of fierce running battles between police and residents that left three people dead and 25 police officers injured.

A public participation forum organised by the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) to discuss a proposed gold extraction project by a private investor turned chaotic when rowdy youth armed with crude weapons blocked the road to Musali Mixed Day and Boarding Senior School and attacked the convoy.

Several journalists were also injured in the clashes, which left a trail of destruction at the school.

Ikilomani resident Vincent Mboko said: "Wanatuua bila hatua na kama sisi hakuna shamba ya serikali hapa…shamba ni yetu…watuachie nafasi yetu sisi hatutaki mambo mingi huyu mzungu, aende!”

Another resident, Albert Shemi, added: "Nilizaliwa hapa…nitakufia hapa…sitahama…tumekataa!”

The clash erupted over a planned NEMA public participation exercise linked to Shanta Gold Company’s proposed extraction of gold valued at roughly Ksh.680 billion.

Residents say they oppose the project, warning it would displace around 800 families and strip them of their livelihoods.

Mercy Ashiono: “"Walisema mambo ilikuwa tatu; community, serikali na NEMA. Walisema kati ya hao watatu, kama community imekataa kazi haiwezi kufanyika…sasa sisi community tumekataa, hatutaki kwa sababu hatukukubaliana vile tulitaka.”

"Nimetoka Migori nimekuja kufanya biashara hapa ili niweze kulisha watoto wangu na hawa watu wanataka kutunyang’anya shamba…hawa watu wote wataenda kuishi wapi?” Lamented Caroline Odero.

From Isulu, the group marched straight to Musali Mixed Day and Boarding Senior School, the designated venue for the NEMA meeting.

Their anger was unleashed on chairs, books, and shelves. Police, who have launched investigations into the incident, say the protests appear to have been orchestrated by a criminal gang with specific targets in mind.

Ikolomani Deputy County Commissioner Geofrey Mayama said: "Any sane person cannot go and destroy a school where children acquire knowledge. I think these are fellows with a very ill motive in the community and I want to assure the public we will pursue the perpetrators of this heinous act to the logical end and ensure they're brought to book.”

Two police officers who sustained serious injuries are currently receiving treatment at Kakamega County General Teaching and Referral Hospital.

Additional police reinforcements have been deployed to the area to restore calm. Meanwhile, the NEMA public participation exercise has been called off.