The Turkana County Government, through its Department of Mineral Resources, has conducted a community consent forum to pave the way for investors seeking to explore the deposits of gold at Nameyana, Turkwel Ward in Loima Sub-County.
The joint forum, attended by County and National Environment Management Authority officials, community members and representatives of the prospective investor, explained the potential benefits to locals and promised adherence to safety and mineral exploration standards.
Speaking during the forum, Mining Chief Officer Triza Amoni emphasized the importance of community involvement in the decision-making process.
“This meeting is about ensuring our community’s voice is heard and that we have a stake in the developments that affect our land and resources. We want to ensure that investments in our county bring tangible benefits to our people, particularly the artisanal miners who have been working hard under difficult conditions,” Triza stated.
She further outlined benefits for artisanal miners, including the construction of two maternity wards at Nameyana dispensary, job opportunities for 30 youths, construction of a social hall, access to mining equipment, and drilling of three boreholes.
Representative of the prospective investor, Michael Kamau, assured the community of their commitment to ethical mining practices and tangible corporate social responsibility projects that will transform the Nameyana community.
“We are not just here to extract resources; we are here to build a lasting partnership with the people of Turkana. Our goal is to create a win-win situation where the community prospers alongside the business,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the artisanal miners, John Ewoi Ekeno raised various concerns, including employment opportunities for youth and the need for transparency regarding how benefits will be distributed.
He also expressed the community’s cautious optimism, stating, “We welcome the development, but it must be done in a way that respects our land and benefits everyone.”
The county government has assured the community that their concerns will be addressed before any final agreements are signed.
A follow-up meeting will be scheduled to finalize the terms of the agreement and ensure that all stakeholders are on board.
As Turkana County continues to attract interest from investors, this community consent process sets a precedent for future developments, ensuring that the local population benefits from the region’s rich natural resources.
During the engagement, operations of the local artisanal mining committee and county programs targeting artisanal miners were also discussed.
Present during the engagement were Ereman Elim (Ag. Director for Mining), Sammy Karoi (Director for Administration), Hellen Nakaru (Director of Revenue), Hosea Ameripus (Deputy Director Admin), Michael Ejikon (Senior Mining Officer), and Gideon Amonyang (area chief).
By Peter Gitonga
