- Sixty-three people, including two MCAs, were arrested after violent protests in Ikolomani over a planned gold mining project
- Clashes erupted when youths stormed the government-NEMA-Shanta Gold meeting, resulting in four deaths and dozens of injuries
- The police claimed that the MCA was funding the people who instigated the violence, although investigations into the source of the funds are ongoing
Sixty-three people, including two Members of the County Assembly (MCA), have been arrested following violent clashes in Isulu, Ikolomani, which left four people dead and several others injured.
Source: UGC
The confrontation broke out on Thursday, December 6, as residents protested against a planned gold mining project in the area.
Why did the police arrest Kakamega MCA?
Western Regional Police Commander Issa Mahmoud confirmed the arrest of the men during a press conference in Kakamega on Friday, December 5.
He explained that among those detained are Idakho Central MCA Akedius Liyayi and appointed MCA Ann Mulwale, who are accused of funding the people who incited the violence.
The police boss claimed that the MCAs were giving aid that enabled the hoodlums in their shameful attack.
He said that the police were investigating the source of the money that MCA was using to pay the rowdy youths.
“Today we have arrested 53 people; yesterday we have arrested 10, making a total of 63. We have arrested 63 people. The person who hit the female officer on the head has been arrested and is under our custody. We have also arrested two MCAs; they were the ones who were giving money, we still don’t know on whose behalf, but we will find out. We have the CCIO here and the RCIO here, both continuing the investigation. We also have a team from Nairobi that is investigating,” the police chief said.
How did the Ikolomani riots happen?
The unrest began when residents of Ikolomani took to the streets to protest the government’s plan to grant Shanta Gold Limited a mining license covering parts of the state.
Small-scale miners, who depend on small-scale gold extraction for their livelihoods, feared being forcibly evicted from the gold-rich region to make way for the international investor.
Witnesses said the clashes turned violent when youths armed with wooden sticks stormed a public meeting called by the government, Shanta Gold, and the National Environment Management Authority (Nema).
Protesters vandalized property, attacked attendees, and targeted police officers in the process, leaving 21 officers with minor injuries.
Some journalists who reported the incident were also attacked, with their equipment damaged or stolen.
Three people were shot dead during the unrest, while several others sustained gunshot wounds while two police officers were admitted to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Poisonous.
Source: Facebook
The death toll rose to four after one of the injured victims later succumbed to gunshot wounds at the Kakamega County Central Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Why did the residents of Ikolomani protest?
As previously reported, residents have repeatedly opposed the proposed activities in Ikolomani, Isulu, and other areas.
Residents have raised concerns about forced displacement, inadequate compensation, and environmental hazards.
Shanta Gold’s planned multi-billion shilling operations in the area are expected to continue for eight years, yielding approximately 36,000 kilograms of gold worth KSh683 billion.
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