State urged to arrest all illegal gold miners in Nandi

Leaders from Nandi want the government to arrest all illegal Gold miners to promote peace and harmony in Chemase.

The leaders drawn from religious and political spheres said they don’t want a repeat of the January 2023 incident where 3 people were killed by illegal miners at the Karebe mining company licensed area.   

The leaders, Martin Kipkosgei Douglas and A.I.C priest the Rev. Charles Kosgei raised a red flag over increased illegal activities targeting huge multi-national Gold investment around Chemase.

“Illegal miners consisting of foreigners are operating along the escarpment of Kapsaos area and have work permits or necessary licenses fueling conflicts by encouraging locals to engage in rock poaching,” Rev. Kosgei says.

The Illegal Gold mining scourge is a security threat to the Karebe Gold mining company since they are the only licensed firm to conduct precious stones mining, exploration and processing.

With 600 residents getting direct employment from the company, the leaders noted that the firm is the sole entity that has transformed the area in the form of development and fear the illegal miners were out derailed.

Speaking to The Star on the phone, Rev. Kosgei, whose brother died during the January 21, 2023 blast said the government should not allow another incident to happen again.

“Let the government conduct routine security inspection of gold buyers operating in Kapsaos to ascertain their nationalities and their modes of operation since the state is getting nothing from them,” Douglas charged.

Illegal miners steal rocks containing gold from the licensed company and then sell them to Congolese nationals in Kapsaos who process them and pay small fees to the thieves.

Karebe Gold mining company lost their 3 employees in the January 2023 blast blasted by illegal miners.

The three were among other Nine workers who were constructing a wall to prevent the mines from flooding and block illegal incursion into the company's underground tunnels.

It has also emerged that the disposal of crushed stones are not properly done causing environmental damage since they are left behind and disposed of along seasonal river and water springs.

“We need an approved refuse treatment as approved by the National Environmental Management Authority plan so that the masses are protected,” Douglas noted.

Effluent from gold processing requires high-level management to prevent heavy metals from being consumed by the public.