The Communist Party of Kenya (CPK) strongly condemns Shanta Gold's intended exploitative mining activities in Ramula, a scheme that has garnered controversial support from Mr. Odhiambo, the Member of Parliament for Gem Constituency. Addressing the public gathering at Gamba Technical Training Institute (TTI), Mr. Odhiambo's alignment with Shanta Gold's questionable project raises serious concerns about his commitment to the well-being and rights of the Ramula community.

Shanta Gold's clandestine operations, coupled with their disregard for legal procedures and transparency, demonstrate a troubling pattern that puts the local populace at risk. CPK demands immediate action to halt Shanta Gold's activities and calls for a thorough investigation into the allegations surrounding Mr. Odhiambo's support.

The CPK condemns the use of force and intimidation, as alluded to by Mr. Odhiambo, to subvert the will of the people. The rights of the Ramula community must not be trampled upon, and their legitimate concerns about land dispossession and environmental degradation must be addressed with urgency.

Of particular concern is Shanta Gold's intention to engage in open-cast mining in Ramula. CPK emphasizes the grave dangers associated with this mining technique, which involves the removal of large quantities of soil and rock, leading to irreversible environmental damage. Open-cast mining poses a substantial threat to the community's land, water sources, and biodiversity. The potential displacement of residents, coupled with the loss of fertile land for agriculture, further exacerbates the negative impact on the livelihoods of the Ramula community.

Shanta Gold's opaque activities and failure to adhere to legal procedures, as outlined in the petition to the County Assembly of Siaya, raise serious questions about the company's commitment to transparency, accountability, and the well-being of the communities it operates in. The CPK demands a full disclosure of all activities related to the West Kenya Project and insists that Shanta Gold follows all legal procedures for mining.

Furthermore, CPK highlights the broader issue of multinational corporations, Shanta Gold included, engaging in extractive industries across Africa, always  leading to devastating consequences for local communities. We draw attention to the corrupt practices of bribing African leaders to facilitate land acquisition and the adverse effects of mining on both the environment and the livelihoods of the African people.

The CPK stands in unwavering solidarity with the Ramula community, advocating for justice, transparency, and the protection of their rights. The party remains resolute in organizing resistance against Shanta Gold's exploitative practices and holding accountable those who compromise the interests of the people.

Signed,

Leon Munala 

Chairperson of the Siaya Branch,

Communist Party of Kenya