At least 56 people were Friday arrested in a swoop in Isulu, Ikolomani following a fatal clash during a public participation event over gold mining activities in the area.
The clash left at least four people dead and dozens injured.
This is after some locals opposed the plan and turned violent attacking police and National Environment Management Authority officials on Thursday.
The injured are in hospitals in the area.
Reinforcements were sent to the area and descended on villages where they arrested the suspects. Police said they will among others face assault, causing gracious harm and preparing to commit a felony.
Tension remained high in the area after the fierce running battles between police and residents that left four people dead and 25 police officers injured.
The four died on December 4, 2025.
A public participation forum organised by the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) to discuss a proposed gold extraction project by a private investor turned chaotic when rowdy youth armed with crude weapons blocked the road to Musali Mixed Day and Boarding Senior School and attacked the convoy.
Several journalists were also injured in the clashes, which left a trail of destruction at the school.
The clash erupted over a planned NEMA public participation exercise linked to Shanta Gold Company’s proposed extraction of gold valued at roughly Sh680 billion.
Residents say they oppose the project, warning it would displace around 800 families and strip them of their livelihoods.
From Isulu, the group marched straight to Musali Mixed Day and Boarding Senior School, the designated venue for the NEMA meeting.
Their anger was unleashed on chairs, books, and shelves.
Police, who have launched investigations into the incident, say the protests appear to have been orchestrated by a criminal gang with specific targets in mind.
Ikolomani Deputy County Commissioner Geofrey Mayama said they are investigating the issue.
“Any sane person cannot go and destroy a school where children acquire knowledge. I think these are fellows with a very ill motive in the community and I want to assure the public we will pursue the perpetrators of this heinous act to the logical end and ensure they’re brought to book.”
Two police officers who sustained serious injuries are currently receiving treatment at Kakamega County General Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Additional police reinforcements have been deployed to the area to restore calm. Meanwhile, the NEMA public participation exercise was called off.
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