It can’t get more Kenyan than this! Discovery of significant deposits of a valuable mineral ought be a proud, serene moment for a country like Kenya with a nascent mining sector. Right? Well, not so for Kakamega Gold ….
The gold deposits estimated at 1.31 million ounces are of the highest quality (ever) so far in Africa, but Acacia Mining has cautioned that we need at least 2 million ounces for the gold to be commercially viable.
The Kenyan Cabinet Secretary in charge of mining appears not to heed this advice (politics is about perception and with a general election in sight, the government would be super keen to gain undue mileage) being quick to value the Western Kenya deposits at 171 billion.
Even state agency Brand Kenya Board +Make it Kenya jumped in on it.
But for all the state’s optimism, increasingly disenfranchised Kenyans took to their favorite platform, Twitter, to voice their take. By doing so, they inevitably drew out an anatomy of this find. From the politics, the humor and the dark history of the infamous Ikolomani.
The Humor:
I think i will go to Kakamega and start digging random places looking for gold.
Life is too hard— Henrikh (@_Barrack__) February 13, 2017
the Baes couldn’t be left behind
Lunje friends wsup! Anyone looking for a wife! UK firm discovers gold worth Sh171 billion in Kakamega https://t.co/pyAQx0r5sx— Soshi OG (@daidey) February 28, 2017
The sad? History:
They did not discover! They mined. Gold was discovered in Kakamega long time ago! https://t.co/UggGa1dEQt— Ronnie Vx (@ronniekib) February 28, 2017
So where did this Ikolomani name come from? My Mulembe peoples must have found it hard to pronounce “Gold Mines” and mulembenized it into Ikolomani
Remember Ikolomani means Goldmine…
???— GeorgeIsaiahShivekah (@isaiahmusindi) February 27, 2017
The Dark History: Young Lost Lives, Chronic Diseases, Poverty and Environmental Degradation
Miserable lives of poor village gold diggers in Kakamega https://t.co/WfCswv2MhP pic.twitter.com/eR0sZWcAWy— The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) December 8, 2016
This is how Kibiri forest(kakamega forest) is being destroyed through gold mining and charcoal burning. pic.twitter.com/iDjUAIx1bL— githinjiwamahiu (@githinjiwamahiu) November 28, 2016
The Politics of Ikolomani Gold:
Hahaha kwanza hii story ya Gold itafanya I run for Kakamega Governor . We can’t trust some people in my village with our Gold @MCShifwoka ? https://t.co/mLNeKs4rAM— Leon Lidigu (@LeonLidigu) February 28, 2017
It’s said that in the 21st century, “Breaking News” is often old news. This twitter handle associated with Kenya’s main opposition group Nasa (National Super Alliance) tweeted this way before Acacia Mining announcement of high value Kakamega deposits. It is not uncommon for businessmen to play politics especially in such high value tra
Gold mining in Kakamega, Keiyo Valley and across all the Nation will be our focus amongst the sectors in the mining industry— TEAM NASA (@Team_CORD) December 17, 2016
Kakamega Assembly Environment Committee visits gold mining sites in County, asses status of mining @Senate_KE @KBonimtetezi pic.twitter.com/hj0N8ouCxD— KAKAMEGA ASSEMBLY (@KakamegaBunge) February 3, 2017
Kakamega MCAs obtain orders to stop Tanzanian firm from mining gold https://t.co/BbZY4wV1cu pic.twitter.com/MOIFsHxP9s— The Star, Kenya (@TheStarKenya) November 2, 2016
The Constant In Every Thing Kenyan: Corruption
Hio mambo ya gold Kakamega lazima corruption-in-chief aitishe kickback. Hawezi wacha wai-mine with a free-pass— Nayvadius DeMun (@MasilaJnr) February 28, 2017
@KathureSasha 2 Years from now,headlines Kakamega 171 Billion gold scandle! i love this country.— Seth Koko (@SethKoko2) February 28, 2017
