Tensions are mounting in Ndira village, North Sakwa location of Siaya County, following a heated dispute over a controversial gold mining licence. Residents have accused a local family of acquiring the mining rights without community consultation, sparking anger and calls for immediate government intervention.
According to villagers, artisanal miners who have depended on small-scale gold mining for generations have been barred from accessing the mining site after officials from the State Department of Mining halted their operations. The miners claim they were informed that a licence had already been issued to a private individual, Evelyn Mutuku, despite their pending applications with the ministry and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
Isaiah Otieno, the chairman of the Ndira Artisanal Mining Sacco, said the community’s mining activities were stopped abruptly and that their permit documents were withheld. He described the situation as unfair and damaging to local livelihoods, noting that many young people have been left jobless due to the dispute.
Several landowners, including Leonard Orwa Ogonyo and Helida Akoth Walori, expressed frustration over being sidelined in the decision-making process. Walori, a widow living with a disability, said she relied on proceeds from artisanal mining to afford medication for chronic conditions. The disruption, she added, has left her in a desperate financial situation.
George Adede Owuor, the chairman of the Kowino Ojwang family, whose land is at the centre of the conflict, alleged that he was twice detained by police after questioning the legitimacy of the mining licence. He argued that Mutuku’s family owns land elsewhere and urged the authorities to restrict her licence to that location. Owuor emphasised that the villagers were not opposed to Mutuku’s licence but demanded that it be confined to her rightful property.
Residents have since appealed to local leaders, the county government, and relevant state agencies to intervene, revoke the disputed licence, and restore peace in the area. They warned that the ongoing standoff risks escalating into violence if not addressed promptly.
In response, Mutuku dismissed the accusations as unfounded and politically motivated. She insisted that her licence was legally obtained through proper channels after due diligence by government authorities. She called on the community to seek clarification from the ministry instead of spreading misinformation and reiterated her willingness to engage in dialogue while upholding the rule of law.
