Kaeris – April 10, 2026 (Public Communication and Media Relations)

The Directorate of Mining has intensified efforts to involve local communities in the early stages of selecting investors seeking to undertake mining activities in Turkana County.During a community engagement meeting held in Kaeris, residents, artisanal miners and county government officials emphasized the need for greater transparency and inclusion in mining operations.

The forum aimed to provide a platform for locals to raise concerns and give informed consent on proposed investments.

The Chief Officer for Mining and Petroleum, Triza Amoni, urged residents to adopt a balanced approach when engaging investors, cautioning against making excessive demands at the initial stages.

“Investors are business-oriented, and their level of engagement with the community will depend on profitability. Let us first create an enabling environment and adjust expectations as operations stabilise,” she said.

Amoni also stressed the need for structured engagement, accountability among residents and measures to curb theft at mining sites. She noted that the investor had agreed to recruit a community liaison officer and security personnel.

Turkana County Artisanal Mining Committee Chairperson, Niclam Eregae, called for improved coordination in the licensing of artisanal miners and investors, noting that formal registration. He said this would enable miners to benefit from both county and national government support.

“Licensed co-operatives stand to benefit from partnerships with prospectors and access to government incentives, including equipment, better pricing and institutional support,” he said.

Eregae further emphasised the importance of forming registered cooperatives, distinct from informal savings groups, to streamline operations and enhance accountability within the sector.

Deputy Director for Mining, Areman Elim Eliud highlighted the need for the investor to prioritise local employment, strengthen site security and implement corporate social responsibility programmes, including support for education.

On environmental concerns, Areman said both miners and the investor had committed to backfilling excavated sites to minimise safety risks.

Speaking on behalf of the community, Peter Kaliba raised concerns over pricing, lack of feedback from authorities and poor communication channels.

They also called for improved infrastructure, including repair of a broken borehole, maintenance of feeder roads and better wages for labour-intensive work.

The investor, identified as Gu-lifu, reiterated that business commitments would be guided by profitability but expressed willingness to operate within the agreed framework.

Solomon Kaliba was endorsed as the proposed Community Liaison Officer renewing the call for fair and mutually beneficial partnerships.Present was the Turkana North Mining Officer, Michael Ejikon.