Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has confirmed that the government’s ambitious KSh5.8 billion gold refinery project in Litambitsa, Ikolomani, Kakamega County, is nearing completion, promising a significant boost to Kenya’s mining sector and the local economy.
Speaking during an inspection tour on Thursday, May 22, Kindiki described the refinery as a “game changer” for thousands of artisanal miners who have long relied on risky, manual gold extraction methods.
“This is a flagship project by the Government of Kenya, which we want completed on time so that we can begin processing gold right here,” Kindiki said, adding, “the President will come to launch it when it is in full operation—not half-baked.”
The second in command revealed that the construction, which began in mid-2024, will see its first phase completed by August 31, 2025. Equipment installation and full operationalisation are expected by May 2026.
The refinery is the first of its kind in the region and is expected to formalise and streamline gold processing, creating hundreds of jobs and increasing revenue for local communities.
Ikolomani, known for its rich gold deposits, has for decades relied on informal mining, often without safety equipment or proper regulation.
While urging contractors to fast-track the work, Kindiki acknowledged challenges posed by ongoing rains, which have delayed progress.
“We understand that the ongoing rains have interfered with the schedule. The contractors had initially been given nine months, but they are behind. We’ve agreed that by August, it should be complete,” he said.
The site contractor has since appealed for extended timelines due to the weather disruptions, a request the government is reviewing with a cautionary tone.
“We cannot allow further delays,” Kindiki warned. “This project holds the promise of economic transformation for thousands of youth who need jobs.”
The project was launched in June 2024 by then Mining Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya. During the groundbreaking, Mvurya also called for the legalisation of artisanal mining and encouraged residents to form a Community Development Agreement Committee to ensure they receive at least one percent of the firm’s proceeds.
