Hillo Gold Mines in Moyale Marsabit County. The new leaders elected have urged miners to join the formed union to walk in solidarity. Photo: KNA.
More than 40 cooperatives from Moyale, Marsabit County, have joined forces to form a union to address their interests in the mining activities in the Hillo area.
According to the new chairman of the Moyale miners’ union, Rashid Karayu, the establishment of the union is one of the criteria for the gold mines in the Hillo area to be opened by the government. He says that by working together it will be easier for the government for the operations of the mine.
“This is one of the road maps to the opening of Hillo Gold Mines because we were advised to organize ourselves in co-operatives and register with co-operatives, which was positively picked by a majority of gold miners. Presenting ourselves as individuals our voice could not be heard and our challenged solved, that is why there was need of coming together to be able to reach our goal. This has further been emphasized by the Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen,” he stated.
Karayu, who was elected as chairman in the elections held on Thursday, said all communities in the area have been involved and all are in agreement with the move, except what happened several months ago, when one community withdrew.
“This time round all the six communities in Moyale sub-county are in solidarity, I’ grateful that the position Secretary General has been handed to the Sakuye and they are contended with the position, I’m confident that we will move forward together,” Karayu said.
He dismissed rumors that cooperatives are going to the area to evict miners from the mines. However, he urged those who have not joined the miners’ unions to make an effort and join them.
“There is a misconception and misinformation that we are going to evict people already in the mines. This is not true, our aim is to include everyone in the union,” he further clarified.
The election of Moyale Artisanal Union leaders comes just days after the government, through Security Murkomen, promised to reopen the mines soon. With efforts across the country to give mining sites dignity and safety to the minors, for easy operations of their activities.
