Ramula Residents Threaten Contempt of Court Action Against Shanta Gold, Police

SIAYA, Kenya, November 15 – The residents of Ramula are threatening to bring contempt of court proceedings against government officials and Shanta Gold executives, alleging the latter are ignoring a court order that prohibits forced land removal for gold mining. Through their attorney, Willis Ochieng, the residents assert the mining corporation, the Inspector General of Police, Gem Yala Sub-County Police Commander, and the Area Officer Commanding Station (OCS) disregarded the directive.

The court order expressly forbade any coercion or force to compel residents to cede their land for gold exploration and mining operations.

At a Thanksgiving event in Ramula, Ochieng cautioned the Ministry of Interior to prevent security forces from enforcing actions that contradict the court’s orders. “The court’s ruling was unequivocal that they cannot compel anyone to vacate their land,” he asserted. Ochieng contended that the court upheld the private ownership of the land, emphasizing that residents could only relinquish it voluntarily, free from intimidation.

“The court deemed the land private property, with individuals having the sole right to voluntarily part with it, without coercion or force,” he explained. He also accused Shanta Gold of persisting with unlawful gold prospecting activities in the region despite the court’s ruling. Ochieng demanded that the Principal Secretary for Mining annul the prospecting license granted to the company, citing that the licensing process violated constitutional procedures.

The residents vowed to pursue legal action against those they believe are flouting the court’s directive if the alleged breaches continue. The conflict revolves around land access and mining rights in Ramula, with residents voicing concerns over Shanta Gold’s prospecting activities and the potential impact on private land ownership.