Lolupe – 8th April 2025 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

The County Government has distributed various tools to the Jatann and Ajokis Artisanal Miners Co-operatives Societies in Nakalale Ward, Turkana North Sub-county.

The equipment with includes two modern Airpick demolisher machines, 30 headlights and 80 metallic pans are meant to aid the miners to extract gold with efficiency.

Speaking during the handover, the Chief Officer for Energy, Petroleum, and Mineral Resources, Triza Amoni, said that the move was meant to enhance safety and spur productivity.

“Our assessment revealed that artisanal miners in Turkana relied on physical digging using crude tools that were slow, physically exhausting, and even life-threatening. This equipment will make the process faster, safer, and more productive,” said Chief Amoni.

The Chief Officer expressed optimism that the equipment would place the miners at an advantage in generating more revenue from the mining trade.

While receiving the machines, the Chair of the Jatann Artisanal Miners Co-operative, Geoffrey Lokuta, affirmed that the supply was overdue.

“It is true that we have been using labour intensive methods of digging. As such, most of us have succumbed to exhaustion, respiratory diseases, and even death,” he said.

The Chair acknowledged and appreciated the county government and said supply was a sign of commitment to welfare of the growing number of artisanal miners in Turkana.

Present during the handover included Moses Kanayo Kai (Nakalale Ward Administrator) Hosea Ameripus (Administration), Michael Ejikon (Mining Officer).