The national government has plans to invest in mining in the Counties of Kakamega and Vihiga as an alternative to farming. Speaking in the region during a fact finding tour, the Mining and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary John Munyes said that the two Counties are rich in both gold and granite with Kakamega alone having more than 13 million ounces of gold along the Lirhanda corridor.
CS Munyes revealed that they are still at the stage of identifying stakeholders to ensure that the discovery benefits all.
He added that it is time to focus on revenue from mining which may be a big thing in the coming years.
Kakamega County Governor Wycliffe Oparanya in his support to the initiative revealed that the County government has donated five acres of land at Roster-man to aid the construction of an extraction industry in the area.
He however urged the CS to expedite the gazzettement of the names of a committee of artisans formed by the County government to help in the extraction process.
He explained that the committee was formed in line with the mining act and gazettement will give them powers to kick off duty.
He added that he was hopeful that the Mining ministry will ensure that the road network is also taken care off urging the CS to ensure that the discovery benefits the residents by 10% to 20%.