High Court Advocate Willis Otieno has declared Shanta Mining’s prospecting license entirely unconstitutional, null, and void following a decisive court ruling.

​Speaking during a prayer and thanksgiving ceremony in Ramula, Otieno detailed the court’s findings that the license was issued without adhering to the Constitution of the Republic.

He noted that the Ministry of Mining was explicitly barred from issuing any mining licenses to Shanta without following national laws and securing the informed consent of private landowners and local residents.

​”We are saying Shanta and the Ministry of Interior cannot evict our people from this land illegally. The court stopped any forceful eviction,” Otieno told the gathering.

​Otieno warned that legal action is mounting against state security officers and company officials attempting to bypass the court directive.

He announced plans to file contempt of court applications against the Inspector General of Police, the Sub-County Commander, the local Officer Commanding Station (OCS), and Shanta directors if they persist in trying to coerce residents into vacating their land.

​According to the lawyer, the court affirmed that the land belongs strictly to private registered owners who can only surrender it freely without threats, coercion, or force. Any attempts to intimidate residents into consenting to Shanta’s operations will be met with immediate legal action.

​Other local leaders echoed Otieno’s sentiments during the event. Former area MCA Samuel Sigur, who is also the first petitioner in the case, praised Ochieng’s legal intervention, stating that the community finally feels protected after enduring prolonged harassment and threats of forced eviction.

​”We are really willing to be law-abiding as long as we are given the respect that we are supposed to be given as a community,” Sigur said, urging the mining firm to respect the court’s decision and allow artisanal miners to operate in peace.

​Charlde Omondi, chairman of the East Gem Bamboo Artisanal Miners Cooperative, accused Shanta Gold of defying existing court orders and continuing to intimidate artisanal miners and landowners.

He claimed the company had obtained fraudulent consents and warned that the community would return to court if the harassment persists.

First petitioner and Chairman of Farm Owners, William Oricho also lauded Otieno for offering pro bono representation to the communities of Ramula, Munungo, and Uranga, urging the legal team to remain steadfast until the land dispute is fully resolved.