Homa Bay residents abandon fishing in mad rush for gold mining

Residents of Kaksingri West ward in Suba South constituency are abandoning fishing to engage in mining of gold as their new economic activity.

The residents are claiming the precious mineral has been discovered in Rang’wa hill and are optimistic of becoming wealthy soon.

 The discovery has seen many abandon fishing in Lake Victoria to go to the quarry.

 Peter Ayoo who owns part of the land where the quarry is located said he discovered that rocks in the area were different from the rest.

 Sindo is a market centre near the lake. He then decided to test some and discovered they had gold.

 “The knowledge I have in gold mining and rocks pushed me to assess the components of the rocks on Rang’wa hill. I discovered that the rocks contain gold minerals," Ayoo said.

  News about the discovery of the mineral spread fast across the ward, people became interested in having a piece of rock from the hill.

 Since excavation started, people claiming to have knowledge in gold mining and who have been in the business for many years, have been visiting the area.

 Some collect rocks from the people who work there with a promise of giving them feedback on whether they have found gold. The rocks are packed in labeled 50kgs.

 Resident Samuel Odhiambo said the amount of money they charge per sack depends on the agreement someone has with the buyer.

 Buying price ranges from Sh1,000 to Sh5,000 depending on negotiation skills.

 Operators in the business said they pay Sh300 for crushing a 50kg sack of rock and Sh150 for processing the same amount of soil that has gold deposits.

 According to Odhiambo, the new activity is earning them more money than fishing.

 “We sell each sack containing minerals at at least Sh1,000 depending on the agreement. The business is more lucrative than fishing,” Odhiambo said.

 Kaksingri Council of Elders Secretary Joab Ikawa said mining will change the economic prospects of people in the area.

  He said the government should now consider constructing a road to the region.

 Ikawa argued that many youths are going for mining and leaving fishing because they want quick money.

 "We have an ongoing road project (Mbita-Sindo-Magunga-Sori) which started many years ago. It should be expedited and part of the project should start from this side where mining is taking place," Ikawa said.

 National Council of Churches of Kenya chairperson Ken Ouma said the region witnessed a landslide that killed four people.

 The disaster was attributed to human activities where farmers cultivated their land.

 Ouma said mining has similar effects and can lead to the same or worse disaster.

 “Residents should follow rules and regulations regarding mining at the site. We don’t want cases where people will interfere with the environment that will have an impact in the lives of future generations," he said.

  The cleric said hygiene should also be prioritised in the area.

 Authorities have been notified of the activities taking place at the site and have begun drawing plans of ensuring no accident occurs at the quarry.

 Rang'wa West assistant chief Walter Odiyo visited the mine last week for a discussion with the mining committee on how workers safety.

He said owners of mining shafts were all instructed to ensure they keep records of those working on the mines.

 A public meeting has been organised where residents are expected to discuss how the mining business can be done in a sustainable manner.