TURKANA SOUTH – Residents of Lokaburu in Turkana South have called for more transparency, continuous public engagement and improved social amenities as Wilken Energy Limited sought community approval for planned gold prospecting activities in the area.
The concerns were raised during a public sensitization meeting attended by county and national government officials, artisanal miners, community leaders, investors and local residents. The meeting focused on the proposed exploration project and the opportunities and responsibilities that could accompany mineral development.
Chairperson of the Artisanal Mining Committee, Micklam Eregae, encouraged local miners to form and register cooperatives, saying formalized groups would be in a stronger position to access government support, better markets and mining equipment.
“The formalization of artisanal mining through cooperatives will strengthen the sector and enable miners to access support from both the County and National Governments while ensuring responsible resource management,” Eregae said.
Director of Litigation, Legal Audit and Compliance Ekal Lokuruka stressed that any mineral prospecting must comply with all legal and regulatory requirements, including obtaining the necessary licenses, securing environmental approvals and ensuring meaningful community participation.
“Community participation is a legal requirement. Every relevant government department must be informed and involved during investor engagement to ensure the process is lawful, transparent and protects community interests,” Lokuruka said.
Pius Ewoton, a representative of Wilken Energy Limited, said the company was seeking the community’s consent before beginning prospecting activities and pledged to operate within the law while honouring agreements reached with residents.
“We are committed to drilling water where possible, supporting the formation of community groups and cooperatives, and working closely with residents. Discussions on additional Corporate Social Responsibility projects will continue once the company receives the necessary certification and licences,” Ewoton said.
Residents welcomed the proposed investment but maintained that several issues should be addressed before exploration begins.
Joseph Ekaru called for broader public participation, noting that not all members of the community had attended the meeting.
“The consultation should continue so that everyone understands the project before implementation,” he said.
Leah Nang’iro expressed hope that responsible mineral development could improve local livelihoods while urging that residents remain fully informed throughout the process.
“Our hope is that gold resources will create sustainable opportunities for our families, but the community must remain informed throughout the prospecting process,” she said.
Other residents urged the company to prioritise access to water for mining operations, improve road infrastructure, support the construction of a secondary school, create employment opportunities and invest in youth empowerment programmes.
Inspector of Mines Walter Kiptui from the State Department of Mining called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, investors and local communities. He also encouraged artisanal miners to establish cooperatives and associations to strengthen their bargaining power and maximize future benefits from the mining sector.
Stakeholders agreed that community consultations would continue as Wilken Energy Limited pursues the statutory licensing process. They emphasized that ongoing dialogue, transparency and full compliance with legal requirements would be essential before any prospecting activities begin.
