Jack Ochieng Ohito, DevReporter, Siaya County
Key Highlights
- The complex dynamics of an industry that, while economically significant, poses serious risks to the health and wellbeing of the local population
- Gold mining spans across nearly four of the six constituencies in Siaya County
- Gold mining is for many, a major source of livelihood
The aim of Kenya’s Vision 2030 is to see the country develop into a middle-income country, with citizens experiencing high-quality and dignified lives. To this end, an autonomous government agency, the Delivery Secretariat, was created under the State Department of Planning within the national treasury and planning, to streamline operations by 2030. Among the secretariat’s mandates is to develop well-regulated policies and structures to guide operations within the country. So, what has really happened in the last 10 years with only about 5-year years left to 2030?
Gold mining happens in nearly four of the six constituencies in Siaya County. There are complex dynamics within this industry, which, despite being economically significant, also pose serious risks to the health and wellbeing of the local population.
For example, Quinter Anyango, a miner at Nyangoma Kogelo Site in Alego Usonga, says that despite the task being risky, also agrees that the sector has helped them get their daily needs.
‘‘Even though this job is hectic, it’s what I can do at the moment. It’s the only means by which I am able to put food on the table,’’ says Quinter Anyango
Charles Owaga, a young man from the same area, and also considered the boss of the mining site had this to say.
‘‘This mining is exclusively informal business between the landowner and the investor. The investor can be anybody willing to fund the exploration process,’’ he said.
He however raises concerns that some Investors tend to take advantage of women, many of whom are illiterate and are not well informed about the price of Gold.
“Since everyone is free to sell gold to any preferred client, some businessmen have taken advantage of women by paying them peanuts.”
Call to action,
Monica Anyango, a miner at Nyang’oma mining site, says that women involved in illegal mining face severe health hazards due to exposure to toxic substances like mercury and cyanide.
“As you can see me, I don’t have gum boots, gloves, goggles, breathing or head gears,” she says.
Peter Ahenda, the Chairman of Miners in Siaya County, also talks about cases of deaths, while confirming that they do not have insurance cover for the workers.
“The informal nature of agreements between workers and site management means that there are no official documentation or contract to provide legal protection,” says Mr. Ahenda.
Mr. Rop Kipkoech, the NEMA Director, Siaya County, says that there are concerns because generally, working in unstructured mining is dangerous. He further admits that they have on several occasions received reports about people dying during these mining instances, but at times, addressing them is challenging because the sites are not in their data.
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