Workers at a multi-national mining company in Nandi County have appealed to the government not to withdraw police officers from the mines.
The workers said they had information that there were plans to have officers deployed to secure the Karebe gold mines mining area withdrawn.
“It will be tragic and expose workers of the company to attacks by illegal miners operating freely in the area where Karebe mining company is licensed to operate,” Albert Kiplimo noted.
The workers' representative claimed that despite the firm’s role in supporting the locals either through direct employment or social corporate responsibilities, illegal miners behind insecurity roam freely.
The workers said have been under constant threat since the murder of three of their colleagues killed while constructing a wall to prevent the flooding of the mine and to block illegal incursions into the Karebe mining tunnels.
“We have had problems with suspects who were released after the state failed to prefer murder charges following the January 23, 2023 blast they ignited. However, the presence of police has been a deterrence and big blessing to the entire Chemase community,” Kiplimo charged.
However, Nandi County Commissioner Caroline Nzwili who chairs the county security committee when contacted by The Star said she had no knowledge of the plan.
“Such have never come to my attention, however, we shall provide the needed advice, but for now I’m not aware of anything,” Nzwili said.
Chemelil/Cemase ward representative Martin Douglas noted that the employees of the company had all the right to raise concerns because it is being rumoured over the security withdrawal plan.
“Let whoever is planning such know that the consequences of such a move would be devastating. The presence of police in the volatile chemise has forestalled security and respect of law."
“Cases of stock theft have drastically gone down and people are now engaging in meaningful development while Karebe gold mining has continued to expand opportunities for the residence,” Martin said.
The government deployed Police officers following increased cases of sabotage by a group of people hired by illegal gold miners targeting the multi-national mining firm properties meant to sabotage their activities within their licensed area.
The firm has a 25-year license from the Ministry of Mining after several years of operating with a temporary license.
Speaking on Monday in Kapsabet, Kiplimo asked the government not to give in to blackmail in causing an artificial insecurity in Chemase.
“We have people roaming and carrying out illegal gold mining who do not support the local community neither do they pay any royalties,” Kiplimo charged.
