Kakamega's Sh5.8 billion gold refinery will better western Kenya economy – Kindiki

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki speaks after inspecting works at the Kenya Gold Refinery in Isughu, Ikolomani, Kakamega County/DPCS

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki now says that the new Kenya Gold Refinery whose construction is underway will transform the economy of Kakamega and the Western Kenya region.

Speaking after inspecting the project being undertaken at the cost of Sh5.8 billion in Isughu, Ikolomani,  Kakamega County, Kindiki said that the project is 65 per cent complete.

He noted that its completion is set to be fully operational by May 2026.

“The national government is working through the National Mining Cooperation and the National Treasury to put together the legal framework for establishing the gold refinery in Kenya. It will not be done by the private sector alone because it is a sensitive value chain that requires government intervention,"

“This factory will boost the economy of Kakamega and Western Kenya and also the entire region, including Nyanza and all areas with gold,” Kindiki said.

The refinery is the first of its kind in the country.

The DP noted that previously, gold mining in the country has cost the lives of many innocent people as a result of smuggling.

He said that because of smuggling communities and the country did not get any benefits from the mining, and the factory will solve this.

“In the past, gold smugglers have endangered the lives of workers in digging caves, which have collapsed and killed many people. Sadly, they didn't pay royalties to the community, national, and county governments. We got no returns at all

“The returns that the local community, the county, and national county used to get from these precious natural resources that gold gave us was little. This factory will solve that problem because it will offtake gold from artisanal miners and then process and refine. This will fetch more returns.”

Kindiki urged artisanal miners to register with cooperatives so that the government can be able to easily access and support them.

“The government can regulate that sector, support them, ensure that they are safe and are working in a conducive environment, and receive good returns.”