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Kenya’s mining sector is facing a critical juncture, where economic ambitions clash with human rights and community interests. Recent violence linked to Shanta Gold’s operations in Kakamega, Siaya, and Vihiga counties underscores the urgent need for policy reform and robust safeguards. The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has raised alarm over patterns of state and corporate violence, calling for an immediate halt to all licensing processes involving Shanta Gold until genuinely inclusive, rights-based public participation is ensured.
On 4 December 2025, a public participation session on the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the proposed Ikolomani Gold Mine in Kakamega turned deadly, leaving at least four people dead and 63 including two county assembly members were arrested. Similar patterns of intimidation and harassment have been reported in Ramula (Siaya) and Mwibona (Vihiga), illustrating the broader risks communities face in Kenya’s mining zones. KHRC noted that “the public participation process was deeply flawed, with no independent supervision and no meaningful engagement with affected communities,” highlighting the lack of transparency and the absence of a rights-based resettlement or compensation framework.
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has been criticised for approving the ESIA despite these documented failures. KHRC insists that “the government must ensure that all mining activities comply with national and international human rights standards,” calling for independent investigations into the violence and accountability for those responsible. The human cost of extractive activity in Kenya is acute: communities fear losing ancestral lands, livelihoods, and cultural heritage, often with little consultation or protection. KHRC stresses that “mining should not come at the cost of human lives and dignity,” underlining the importance of embedding human rights into mining policy.
Residents continue to resist Shanta Gold’s operations, demanding justice and accountability, while KHRC provides legal and advocacy support, calling for international attention. “The government must act now to prevent further violence and ensure that mining activities are conducted in a manner that respects human rights and promotes sustainable development,” concluded KHRC. The incidents in Kakamega, Siaya and Vihiga are a stark reminder that Kenya’s mining sector cannot thrive sustainably without reform that prioritises the protection of communities and the rule of law.
