A state-of-the-art Artisanal Mining Training Centre taking shape at Rosterman is expected to revolutionise artisanal mining practices in Kakamega County through education, innovation, and sustainable skills development.
The facility, spearheaded by the County Government in partnership with the National Government, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Planet Gold, is designed to equip small-scale miners with modern, safe, and environmentally friendly techniques that will boost productivity while protecting public health and the environment.
County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Water, Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, Peninah Mukabane, who inspected the ongoing works on Tuesday, said the project will anchor a new era of professionalism in the local mining sector.
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“The centre will train artisanal miners to embrace modern and sustainable extraction methods,” Mukabane said. “We are particularly focused on eliminating the use of mercury, which poses serious health and environmental hazards.”
The training centre will offer practical courses, demonstrations, and research-based learning to empower miners with skills that promote efficiency, safety, and environmental stewardship. It will also serve as a platform for innovation and knowledge sharing among mining communities.
According to county officials, the Rosterman facility will be the first of its kind in the region and will serve as a model for similar initiatives across the country. Once complete, it will attract miners from across Western Kenya and beyond, positioning Kakamega as a hub for sustainable mining education.
The project underscores the county’s commitment to aligning its local development agenda with global sustainability goals while ensuring that artisanal miners benefit from safer and more productive livelihoods.
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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