Government Promises Kakamega Residents Share of Sh683 Billion Gold Discovery.

Kakamega.

The government has reassured Kakamega residents that the Sh683 billion gold deposit discovered in Isulu–Bushiangala will deliver direct benefits to the local community.

Speaking at a Monday forum, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura highlighted Kenya’s mining framework, designed to ensure local empowerment and sustainable development.

“The discovery at Isulu-Bushiangala marks a major milestone for Kenya’s mineral sector,” he said.

Under the Mining Act, revenue will be shared with 70 percent going to the national government, 20 percent to Kakamega County, and 10 percent directly to local communities.

Shanta Gold Kenya Limited, the local arm of London-listed Shanta Gold, has pledged 1 percent of its annual gross sales to community projects, overseen by a 14-member committee. Funds will support roads, schools, healthcare, clean water, and environmental conservation. Mwaura emphasized the government will monitor implementation to ensure transparency.

Addressing fears of displacement, he assured residents that no one will be moved without due process. Government teams are already on the ground to oversee fair compensation, while mitigation measures have been proposed to address risks identified in the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment.

The gold deposit itself is massive: 1,270,380 ounces of high-grade ore averaging 11.43 grams per tonne, valued at about Sh683 billion (US$5.29 billion). Located 55 kilometers northwest of Kisumu, it is Kenya’s largest discovery in decades.

The proposed underground operation will use Long Hole Open Stoping (LHOS) and include a 1,500-tonne-per-day processing plant, tailings and waste facilities, administrative offices, and a 12-megawatt power station across 337 acres. Shanta Gold awaits NEMA approval to proceed.

For locals like Mary Wakhungu, a farmer from Bushiangala, the news brings cautious hope. “We’ve heard promises before, but if this brings jobs and better schools, it could change everything,” she said. Community leaders called the revenue-sharing model a potential “game-changer” for Ikolomani constituency.

Mwaura emphasized that safeguards are in place to build trust and ensure smooth operations. With NEMA’s approval pending, the coming months will determine whether the gold discovery truly delivers on its promise for Kakamega’s people.