An armed gang raided a gold mining firm in Rarieda Sub-county early Wednesday morning, making off with equipment valued at millions of shillings.
The attack took place in North Ramba Sub-location, Central Asembo Location.
The gang overpowered watchmen guarding Amlight Resources Company Limited, whose operations at the site were previously ordered closed by the courts.
The Director of Amlight Resources, Amos Barasa Mabonga, revealed that this was the fifth attack on his premises this year.
Speaking at the company yard alongside his lawyer, Danstan Omari, Mabonga expressed frustration that no action has been taken despite the suspects being positively identified.
“The first attack occurred on January 25 this year, resulting in two fatalities. To date, the case has not reached the courts,” Mabonga lamented. “Whenever we inquire, we’re told the file is still with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.”
Mabonga warned that the lack of action against the suspects has emboldened them to carry out more attacks.
Amlight Resources worker Charles Otieno Onyango accused local security personnel and government officials of collaborating with a rival gold mining company to undermine Amlight. He warned that the continued attacks could turn the area into a bloodbath.
“We’ve had enough. If the government doesn’t act, they’ll be collecting bodies here,” Onyango warned.
Lawyer Danstan Omari criticized law enforcement agencies for their laxity, blaming them for the repeated attacks.
He noted that despite a court order halting mining activities in the area, invaders have illegally dug tunnels into Amlight’s land.
“This is a case of a Kenyan investor being harassed by a foreigner,” Omari said, adding that the law cannot be twisted to favor foreigners over locals.
He vowed to take up the matter with the relevant authorities to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
