By Okong’o Oduya
Busia County, Kenya: Gold miners at Bumutiru, Butula in Busia County have been ordered to acquire mining licenses.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki ordered the minors to acquire the documents to allow them to operate in a safe environment.
“The government can’t punish its people, but if there is something pausing danger to our people, we must act. That is why I am directing all the miners here must apply for mining licenses from the relevant authority immediately,” he said.
While inspecting the site Kindiki directed the National Environmental and management authority Nema in collaboration with the Busia county government to seal all disused sharps at the site to prevent any danger they may cause.
“I am also directing the National Environmental and Management Authority (NEMA) in consultation and collaboration with the County government of Busia to make sure all disused sharps are rehabilitated in compliance with the national and county governments’ environment and health standards,” said Kindiki.
Kindiki further warned against any involvement of the underage in business of any kind at the site adding that there is a need for the Ministry of Education and national government administrators to make sure that there is no child engaged in business of any kind at the site.
“Ministry of education and national government administration officers in the county must make sure that there is no child labour at the mining site,” he said.
The minister noted that he is setting up a multi-agency intergovernmental committee chaired by the western region commissioner to develop an environmental and social impact assessment report on the viability and sustainability of the gold at Bumutiru.
“I am setting up a multi-agency intergovernmental committee chaired by western region commissioner Mr. Irungu Macharia to develop an environmental and social impact assessment report on the viability and sustainability of the gold at Bumutiru within 30 days,” he said.
He added, “If the report they will get will indicate some signs of danger I will come back, based on the report to make the final decision.”
Butula member of Parliament Joseph Oyula called upon the government to make sure that the mining benefits the locals.
Oyula who accompanied the cabinet secretary noted that it will be of no use if the mining won’t improve the lives of the locals.
“My appeal is on the government. In all that you do here let the community here benefit from this mining. It should not be the case where foreigners are brought to take away the fortune and leave the owners with nothing,” said Oyula.
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