Mr Harry Kimtai (CBS), the Principal Secretary for Mining from the national government landed at Alupe University whilst on a mission to tour gold mining exploration sites in Busia County. The PS was warmly received by the Deputy Vice Chancelor (AFD), Prof Mahero Toboso, on behalf of the Vice chancellor. Mr Kimtai appreciated the swiftness in the reception he and his team was accorded from the moment he landed at the graduation square grounds.
Photo 1: (R-L):Prof Mahero Toboso welcoming Mr Harry Kimtai, the PS for Mining
The PS said that his mission to Busia County during this visit was to assert the national government’s sanctioning of the mining exploration works that are almost winding up. “Our presence in the university and in this region at large is to lay clarity on the prospection works that have been underway through a contacted company that is about to leave the site and head to another site in West Pokot for a similar exercise”, said Mr Kimtai.
Mr Kimtai revealed that the local community in areas where minerals are being prospected should be assured of both governments’’ (national and County) position on the activities that have been happening around them.
Nevertheless, PS Kimtai clarified that this was not the actual mining of gold, but rather exploration out of which, the samples will be taken to the government chemist laboratories for testing. The test shall be done to establish the kind of minerals, their quantities as well as viability before any licensing is issued for actual mining to be undertaken.
Photo: A tour around Alupe University
Prof. Toboso voiced concerns that, given the location of the mines, there have been widespread speculations as to whether the mining activities in the neighbouring Uganda could have spilled over to Kenya when it comes to the damping of the hips of soils and other residues into the Kenyan territory.
PS Kimtai acknowledged the presence of allegations from residents around the region about territorial encroachments on the Kenyan side by the neighbouring Ugandan miners. He said that out of this ground visit; the truth would be established. Alongside other top security chiefs from the sub-counties, also present in the meeting was Mr Patrick Kiungu_ the AP Commander of Matayos, representing the County Commander (Ahmed Maalim Abdile) the Busia County Commander.
Photo: The Busia County Commander, Mr Patrick Kiungu briefing the PS in the Vice Chancellor’s office
The County Commander who said that members of the public who were also raising concerns. The Commander thanked the PS and the national government for seeing it well to physically make a visit to Busia as a way of assuring the residents and the leadership on the process.
Photo: PS Kimtai signing the Vistors’ Book at the Vice Chancellor’s Officer during his stop at Alupe University
According to the PS, if the prospects finally indicate the presence of viable deposits of minerals including gold in the area, the national government will follow the Mining Act, 2016 that stipulates how revenues from mines ought to be distributed. In this effect therefore, the Act outlines that 1% of revenues from mining activities is reserved for the host community, which includes Alupe University, 20% to the county government while 70% is for the national government.
By Victoria Magar & Savai Sabwa,
Alupe University Media