Western Kenya erupts over Sh680billion gold find, sugar mills privatisation
The government has moved to quell mounting revolt in the larger vote rich Western Kenya region following the fatal shooting of four people during violent protests in Ikolomani over plans to mine gold worth Sh680 billion in the area and the ongoing privatisation and leasing of Western Kenya’s sugar mills.
The government stepped in to forestall political fallout amid growing resistance form local leadership and residents over the sugar mills leasing and privitiation as well as the gold mining proposal in Kakamega South.
They are concerned about possible relocation and evictions, environmental, cultural, and social impacts if the project proceeds.
On Thursday this week, December 11, 2025 Luhya elders Forum convened a consultative meeting in Kakamega with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Otsotsi, to address what they termed as rising concerns over key economic and environmental issues affecting the western region.
In a statement after the meeting, Senator Sifuna said the elders had summoned the two leaders to present what they described as urgent community worries surrounding the ongoing privatisation and leasing of Western Kenya’s sugar mills.
The meeting also deliberated on expanding gold-mining activities in Ikolomani, and the government’s controversial proposal to establish a nuclear power plant in Siaya County.
“The Luhya Elders Forum summoned Otsotsi and I for a consultative meeting in Kakamega this morning. Key amongst the concerns was the process of privatisation/leasing of sugar mills, the matter of gold mining in Ikolomani and the proposed nuclear plant in Siaya,” Sifuna stated.
The meeting comes days four people were killed during violent protests over a planned public participation meeting intended to discuss recently identified large-scale gold deposits in the region.
Earlier this week, Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary on convened a meeting with elected leaders from Kakamega led by Governor Fernandes Barasa.
During the meeting, Joho assured the leaders that the ministry has not issued any final mining license for Isulu, and confirmed that government will not approve any project without the involvement of local residents.
He emphasised that the government aims to balance investor interest with community welfare, insisting that transparency, environmental protection, and safety standards will guide all decisions.
However, the planned relocation of residents has raised tensions in the area.
Residents have raised concerns over potential land evictions, inadequate compensation, and the environmental impact of mining activities.
