(Kakamega) – Taita Taveta University has initiated an outreach programme designed to strengthen the capacity of artisanal and small-scale miners in Kenya. The programme, aimed at improving both technical skills and financial management, is particularly focused on helping miners maximize their earnings and reduce exploitation by middlemen.
According to Prof. Christine Onyango, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic, Research, and Outreach, the university’s efforts are aimed at addressing the lack of technical knowledge and financial literacy among artisanal miners. Many miners in Kenya, especially in the western region, are exploited by middlemen who purchase gold at significantly low prices, depriving miners of fair compensation. Prof. Onyango emphasized that the university, with its expertise in mining and process engineering, is working with various stakeholders to provide training for miners in these areas.
“Often, artisanal miners sell their valuable gold to middlemen due to a lack of knowledge, leading them to receive much lower returns than their efforts deserve,” said Prof. Onyango. “Many miners also lack basic management skills and use crude tools, which can result in accidents and disasters.”
A key aspect of the outreach programme is improving safety standards for miners, particularly in relation to the hazardous use of mercury in gold extraction. Mercury is commonly used to separate gold from other materials, but it poses significant health risks, including kidney damage, vision impairment, and balance issues. Prof. Onyango also highlighted the environmental harm caused by mining, such as deforestation, which contributes to broader climate change challenges.
To address these concerns, the university is focusing on mitigating the negative impacts of mining activities through education and sustainable practices. The outreach programme includes a three-day technical training workshop held for miners from Kakamega and Vihiga counties. The workshop’s theme, “Towards Zero Fatalities and Zero Mercury: Advancing Safety, Health, and Sustainability in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining,” underscored the importance of both health and environmental sustainability in mining practices.
Moses Klay, a representative of the artisanal miners and a member of a self-regulation team in the industry, called for more financial support for miners through customized credit facilities that could allow them to engage in more sustainable mining practices. He also urged the national government to expedite the issuance of mining permits, a key requirement for securing financing.
Victorine Shikutwa, a nominated member of the Kakamega County Assembly, discussed the county’s progress in addressing child labor in gold mining, noting that the gold mining resilience team is closely monitoring the issue. Patrick Makhule, the regional chairman of the gold mining resilience team, also emphasized the importance of consulting local communities before starting gold prospecting activities.
Meanwhile, Niva Mahiva, the chairman of the union of cooperatives for gold miners, raised concerns about the lack of consultation with local artisanal miners by private investors looking to mine gold in the area. These concerns reflect the broader challenges facing the gold industry, which include severe environmental degradation, fatalities, inadequate funding, outdated mining equipment, and tensions between various stakeholders over mining rights.
The training programme comes at a crucial time for Kenya’s gold mining industry, which is facing multiple challenges. Kakamega and Migori counties, along with parts of Vihiga, Narok, Siaya, Nandi, and Turkana, are some of the leading regions in gold mining, and the university’s outreach efforts are aimed at improving the industry’s sustainability and reducing risks for miners.