The Migori government has not sold the Got and Osiri-Matanda gold mines in Nyatike subcounty to a Chinese investor for Sh60 million, Governor Okoth Obado has said.
Last week, 200 miners held street protests following claims a Chinese prospector bought the land.
They accused the county government, Nyatike MP Omondi Anyanga and Macalder-Kanyarwanda MCA Erick Gogo of being compromised by the investor.
Meeting the miners at Nyatike village on Wednesday, Obado said he will sue leaders found selling the minefields to an investor, to protect miners from their wrath.
“As a governor, I cannot take any bribe to allow an investor into my county or to sell any property of the county government,” he said.
“No one is allowed to sell government property.”
The investor is said to have sent people to raid the mines and fence them.
However, they were chased away by residents, who demanded to know who was behind the move.
Gogo, who attended the meeting, denied involvement.
He said he supports miners and pledged to stand with them to protect the minefields.
Anyanga was unavailable for comment.
“It is time the governor and other leaders tell us who is behind this,” miner Agnes Achieng’ told Obado.
“I am a widow taking care of my children and other orphans. It is from mining that I have managed to educate them.”
