Rarieda miners protest against attempt to shut down Ramba gold mining site

By Lameck Baraza

Rarieda Artisanal Gold Miners Cooperative Society leadership has warned the government against any attempt to shut down a gold mining site in Ramba, Siaya County.

They were reacting to a September 19, 2024 letter from the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, State Department for Mining.

The miners on Monday staged a day-long street protest in Ndori Market, stating that the site has been their only source of livelihood since time immemorial.

They claim the site is being handed over to a foreigner.

“We use simple tools to mine gold at this site. The foreigner is deploying heavy machinery that is denying many of us opportunities,” lamented George Olengo.

Another visibly wounded miner explained that he was recently injured while working for the foreign company, but has since been neglected in treatment. 

The site is situated next to Ramba Boys, and is owned by a cooperative.

“We have a single entrance to the mining caves, but different people own different caves underneath. The government must consult all of us through our cooperative and elected (political) leaders,” said George Owada.

They implied that they are ready to protest continuously, until they are heard. The artisans accused the government of allegedly embracing income-generating activities in other parts of the country, such as Mogoka farming, while frustrating those from Siaya County.

The local community observed that the Cooperative has continued to help the community as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program.

In particular, they said that they have benefited from the drilling of boreholes that have helped to raise sanitation standards at home.

“The cooperative has drilled boreholes here in Lumba village. The one we have here was installed at a cost of Sh6 million. The loan is yet to be repaid, and closing the mining site will leave us with no source of water,” observed Caroline Akinyi.

In the meantime, the leadership of the cooperative threatened to go to court to quash the order on cessation of operations.

The letter signed by Regional Mining Officer Ben Bera,states that the San Martin Gold Mine site  is operating illegally.

“The purpose of this letter is to order with immediate effect cessation of all illegal mining at San Martin Gold Mining site. Failure to comply with the lawful order is an offence under Section 205 (1)(b) of the Mining Act 306,” reads parts of the letter to Isaac Owang, the alleged proprietor.

 “Any person who engages in activities and operations for, or connected with, the dealings, disposition, search for, prospecting or mining, processing, refining, export or import of a mineral or mineral deposits whether they are processed or unprocessed in Kenya without a valid licence or permit granted under this act commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding Sh10 million or both.”

The artisans have called upon all elected leaders in Siaya, led by Governor James Orengo, to intervene.