KAKAMEGA GOVERNOR ORDERS FOR AUDIT OF ALL MINES WITHIN THE COUNTY

Kakamega County Governor H.E FCPA Fernandes Barasa has directed the County Disaster Multisectoral team and the Artisanal Mining Committee to carry out a comprehensive audit of all the shafts within Ikolomani and Shinyalu Sub-Counties and present the report to him within one week.

The Governor made the remarks during a mass funeral service of the five victims of the collapsed Sigalagala mining shafts at Khayega grounds in Shinyalu Sub-County where he expressed his symphathy to the families, relatives and friends of the departed gentlemen who passed away while on a mission to provide for their families.

To ensure safety of the youth, the Governor called on all licensed miners to provide a safe environment for mining noting that the activity should not translate to danger and risk but a lucrative and safe enterprise.

He further instructed the Departments of Water, Environment, Natural Resources & Climate Change and Public Service and County Administration to upscale sensitization and capacity building of artisanal miners on health and occupational safety.

The County boss who is also the Chairperson of the Finance and Economic Affairs Committee at the Council of Governors urged Members of National Assembly to support the Mining Act presented to the floor of the House by Ikolomani MP Hon. Benard Shinali which outlines allocation of 70, 20 and 10 percent of proceeds from mining to the National and County Government and the local Community respectively.

Deputy Governor H.E Ayub Savula called on all stakeholders to join hands in support of the victims families and implored MPs to review the Mining Act to allow for retention of a percentage of funds acquired from mining activities, including profits, to assist in capacity building youth involved in the venture on life saving skills.