West Pokot leaders and residents have on December 13, 2025 expressed fears that deadly gold mining clashes similar to those in Kakamega could occur in their county.
The fears followed recent violent incidents in Kakamega’s Ikolomani area, where clashes over gold mining left three people dead and several others injured, including police officers and journalists.
Residents had protested against a proposed large-scale gold project by Shanta Gold, citing potential displacement of around 800 households and inadequate consultation.
Officials in West Pokot had emphasised that anyone wishing to mine gold in an area should involve local communities fully, obtain consent through lawful means, and avoid relying on claims of government connections or influence, which have been cited as causes of disputes.
According to Sigor MP Peter Lochakapong, all who are interested in mining gold in the area must ensure that they engage the local community.
“Anyone wishing to mine gold in an area should ensure they fully involve the local community. Claims of having government connections or knowing prominent individuals have often caused disputes," said Lochakapong.
The issue of graft and lack of transparency in the gold market and the public participation was also raised by the MP .
"Mining activities should be conducted transparently, with proper public participation to obtain consent from local residents,” he added.
The leaders also raised concerns about exploitation by outsiders, environmental degradation, price manipulation by middlemen and alleged corruption in the local mining sector.
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Other the concerns raised by the local leaders, inter-clan conflicts over land and mineral rights have also been documented even as illegal mining have caused land degradation threatening agricultural plots and even school compounds.
Socio-economic disruptions have also been reported in West Pokot as children were reported to have left school to work in mines, while some girls were pushed into early marriages.
The West Pokot County NEMA director, Protus Musawa, had earlier also confirmed that most mining activity violated environmental regulations, with air and noise pollution reported across more than 500 sites.
