Good news as gold refinery set for construction in Kakamega

By Hilda Atika

A gold refinery has been set for construction in Iguhu, Ikolomani Constituency.

The facility, is expected to employ hundreds of locals as workers once operational.

Speaking during a ground breaking ceremony, the PS for Mining and the Blue Economy Elijah Mwangi lauded Ikolomani MP Benard Shinali for the effort towards launching the gold mining refinery.

The PS said investors who succeeded had been picked after a competitive tender that was open for international investors willing to set up shop in Kakamega.

“We know that there is a lot of gold in this County. Kakamega has a gold hub at Bushiangala, Rosterman so it’s not by accident that this investment was brought here,” the PS said.

He said that the government had done due diligence and accredited a suitable investor who is set to be on site by 2025.

The chairman of Western caucus for MPs John Waluke noted that the project was a game changer adding that as residents of Ikolomani, they will be a priority for employment.

“The government has to secure 30% while 70% must remain to our people. This refinery will be milling gold. We appeal to the government to put in place measures like it is in the maize milling sector where if there are no maize, the millers cannot transact,” he noted.

He added that small scale miners should be empowered by the government so that they can benefit from the trade.

“The in- coming investor for the gold refinery, Haliff Hassan, should not process gold alone because there are more by-products coming out from the soil which gold is extracted. from,” Waluke noted.

On his part, Haliff Hassan, the Managing Director H-NUO company, assured locals that they will all benefit through value addition among other benefits.

sa