Siaya: Chaos brews as villagers clash over gold mining licence

Tensions are rising in Ndira village, North Sakwa location, as residents accuse a local family of illegally acquiring gold mining rights without community consent, sparking calls for urgent government intervention.

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Speaking at Ndira trading centre, residents claimed they have faced harassment and unlawful detention for engaging in artisanal mining, a practice they say has sustained their livelihoods for generations.

The controversy centres on a mining licence allegedly issued to Evelyn Mutuku, whom villagers insist obtained it without consulting landowners or local stakeholders.

Isaiah Otieno, chairman of the Ndira Artisanal Mining Sacco, said their operations were halted by officials from the State Department of Mining despite having applied for the necessary permits from the ministry and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).

“To our shock, we were told we couldn’t proceed because Evelyn Mutuku had already been granted the licence,” Otieno said.

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“Worse still, our documents were withheld.”

Landowners Leonard Orwa Ogonyo and Helida Akoth Walori, who had agreements with the miners, expressed frustration over being sidelined. Walori, a wheelchair-bound widow, said she depended on mining proceeds to afford medication for diabetes and hypertension.

George Adede Owuor, chairman of the Kowino Ojwang’s family, whose land is at the centre of the dispute, claimed he was twice detained at Bondo Police Station for questioning the licence issuance and the treatment of miners. He emphasised that Mutuku’s family land is located elsewhere and urged authorities to restrict her licence to her rightful property.

“We’re not against her having the licence, just not on our land,” Owuor stated.

Residents warned that the disruption has left dozens of youth jobless and called on local leaders and government agencies to revoke the licence and restore peace.

Contacted for comment, Evelyn Mutuku dismissed the allegations as baseless and misleading, insisting that her licence was lawfully acquired through proper government channels.

“These are mere allegations driven by misinformation and personal interests,” she said.

“I followed all legal procedures, and the licence was granted after due diligence by the relevant authorities. I urge the community to seek clarity from the ministry instead of spreading falsehoods.”

Mutuku maintained that she remains open to dialogue but emphasised that the rule of law must be respected.

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