Shanta Gold has officially commenced a large-scale resettlement programme for residents displaced by its open-pit gold mining operations in the Ramula area, Luanda Sub-County, Vihiga County.
The initiative, part of the company’s West Kenya Gold Project, is designed to relocate more than 1,200 households ahead of full-scale mining operations expected to begin in mid-2027.
The company is implementing an “infill replacement” strategy, integrating displaced households officially termed Project Affected Persons (PAPs) into established host communities across Gem Yala, Gem Wagai and Luanda sub-counties.
Shanta Gold states the process adheres to International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standard 5 on Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement, which requires fair compensation, improved living conditions and active community engagement. The programme operates under a 19-step engagement and auditing framework to ensure regulatory compliance and social integration.
Several relocated families have already moved into new permanent homes. One resettlement site, locally nicknamed “Singapore” by residents, currently hosts 12 housing units with families actively settling in.
Former residents of Obwanda Village in Ramula confirmed receiving both financial compensation and new three-bedroom stone houses equipped with electricity, replacing their previous semi-permanent mud structures.
“The house I lived in previously was a two-bedroom semi-permanent mud house,” said Stephen Otieno Omondi, a relocated resident from Obwanda. “Now I live in a three-bedroom permanent stone house with electricity. My standard of living has improved significan
Austin Ochieng Omondi, Shanta Gold’s Government Relations Superintendent, said the company remains committed to continuous engagement and post-resettlement support.
“Shanta has taken an approach of doing infill replacement to ensure newly resettled PAPs gel in harmony with host communities,” he said. “Our duty is to ensure this happens through continuous engagement from land acquisition to final auditing.”
Despite initial resistance and protests during early public participation stages including incidents of arson and clashes in April 2026 that left two people dead and dozens displaced some residents who have completed relocation are now encouraging others to cooperate.
“I urge those who are still hesitant to give the company a chance,” said Samuel Omoro, a resident of Mnungo Village. “The gold beneath the ground cannot be extracted by standard local tools alone. It is better to cooperate and benefit from proper compensation.
Shanta Gold confirmed that construction continues across multiple resettlement sites as the company prepares for full-scale operations at the Ramula project. The West Kenya Gold Project, which includes the Ramula Mwibona and Isulu Bushiangala deposits, is valued at approximately Sh17.7 billion and is expected to generate significant royalties for the national government.
The company has stated that land acquisition, compensation and resettlement will follow both Kenyan land laws and international guidelines, with the aim of avoiding involuntary displacement where possible and minimising its impact where unavoidable.
