A civil society organisation has called for the suspension of an impact assessment report for the proposed Ramula–Mwibona open-pit gold mining project in Siaya and Vihiga counties.
In a memorandum submitted to government agencies and partners, Haki Madini Kenya said the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report has gaps and flaws that should be reviewed.
The ESIA was intended to assess the potential environmental and social risks associated with the project.
However, HMK’s analysis suggests that the report falls short in multiple areas, including failure to consider the cumulative impact of the project, neglecting proper climate change assessments and overlooking the rights of vulnerable groups in the affected communities.
One of the most concerning gaps is the report’s failure to adequately address the social and infrastructure impacts of the project.
Although the ESIA recognises potential economic opportunities, HMK says it fails to provide sufficient mitigation strategies for unemployment and displacement.
Additionally, the memorandum says ESIA lacks clear data on the number of households at risk of displacement, as well as the potential strain on local health and education services.
The report is also criticised for not addressing the climate change risks associated with the project.
Despite Kenya’s commitment to the Paris Agreement, the ESIA fails to analyse the project’s potential contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and fails to recommend adequate climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, the mining rights group said. The biodiversity assessment is also criticised.
HMK said the report downplays the impact on sensitive ecosystems and wildlife in the Lake Victoria Basin.
The group said flawed assessment violates national laws and international standards on biodiversity protection.
Another critical complaint is the alleged lack of Free, Prior and Informed Consent from the affected communities.
HMK said while consultations are mentioned in the report, there is no evidence that affected populations fully understood or agreed to the proposed mining project.
