The socio-economic impact of artisanal gold Mining in Ikolomani division, Kakamega county; Kenya

ABSTRACT Land is the most coveted and jealously guarded resource for Socio-economic development among Kenyan rural households. Most artisanal gold miners are from socially and economically marginalized communities, and turn to mining in order to escape extreme poverty, unemployment and landlessness. Sometime the gold is present but very tiny or should we say in low and unexpected quantities especially when you look at the depth of the mines. The Knowledge Gap that the study sought to fill was that while agriculture undeniably remains the backbone of most African economies, the people of Ikolomani still dwelt in abject poverty despite their pre-occupation in artisanal mining. The main Objective of the study was to examine the socio-economic impact of artisanal gold mining in Ikolomani division, Kakamega County, Kenya. This study was guided by the following specific objectives; Evaluating the socio-economic benefits of gold mining in Ikolomani division, Examining how the presence of mines has affected cultural relations in Ikolomani division, Establishing factors that would comply with modern mining and environmental regulations in Ikolomani division. The researcher employed descriptive design. The study's theoretical framework adopted the theory of cumulative and cyclical interdependencies. In the selected locations the Study Population was 870 respondents as provided by Western Provincial Geology and Mines (WPGM, 20 II) of which 10 % were adopted in the study, therefore the target population narrowed to 87 respondents. The study adopted stratified random sampling technique to draw a sample from the Target population. Stratification allowed the investigation of the characteristics of interest for particular subgroups. Data collection was from two main sources; primary and secondary. Secondary sources included relevant documents and reports. In using Primary sources data was collected from selected respondents using Focused Group Discussions and Questionnaires. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) computer software was used for analysis. The study's major conclusion was that the gold fields did not improve the social and economic life of the people of Ikolomani. The study's major recommendation was that there was need to improve on the Economic amenities in lkolomani division by government and investor through forging economic partnerships. This would rejuvenate economic activities and improve on the livelihoods of the inhabitants. The Study's further recommendation was that there is need to establish the viability of new advanced mining technologies with regard to enhanced productivity at the Gold mines in Ikolomani Division.