COUNTY, NATIONAL GOVERNMENT SIGN MoU TO ESTABLISH A GOLD REFINERY IN KAKAMEGA.

The County Government of Kakamega and the National Government’s Ministry of Petroleum & Mining have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Gold Refinery in Kakamega County. The devolved unit through the ministry of Lands, Housing, Urban Areas and Physical Planning Monday has already purchased a 10 acre piece of land for that purpose at Lidambitsa, Idakho East ward, Ikolomani sub county.

Monday evening Kakamega Governor H.E Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya handed over a title deed of the 10 acre parcel of land to the Cabinet Secretary for Petroleum and Mining Hon. John Munyes in a brief ceremony held at Iguhu, Ikolomani sub county, paving way for the process of setting up a Gold refinery.

“We can easily fastrack implementation of government pojects in this region if we closely work with the government,” governor Oparanya said during the event also attended by Devolution CS Hon. Eugene Wamalwa.

The governor said the County and National goverments have to cooperate and consult regularly to accelerate execution of government projects at the grassroot level. He added that the MoU signed between him and the CS Munyes will cover the benefits that will arise from the refinery.

According to CS John Munyes, the plant will target Artisanal miners who will be allowed to sell their gold directly to the refinery. “This area is a well known gold reservoir in the country and with the President’s directive that we set up a refinery here, we will do away with exploitation of miners by middlemen in mineral trade.,” Hon. Munyes assured.

A recent report through a survey conducted by Lakers Consultancy Limited indicated that Kakamega County has a huge mining potential which is underexploited and unregulated. The survey focused on various mineral resources such as hardcore, clay and murram among others.

The event was also attended by host MP Benard Shinali, Majority Whip in the National Assembly Emmanuel Wangwe, CECMs led by Lands, Housing, Urban areas and Physical Planning CECM Alfred Matianyi, MCAs led by deputy speaker Leanard Kasaya, County Attorney Moses Sande, Chief Officers and Sub County administrator for Ikolomani Ramadhan Wekhuyi among others.