Armed gang raids gold mine in deadly rivalry as police launch probe
Heavily armed individuals invaded a gold mining site owned by a private investor in Ramba village, Rarieda sub-county, and stole property worth an unknown amount.
Amlight Resources Limited Company was left counting its losses after the invasion. The suspects are also reported to have stolen and destroyed some property.
The company's director, Amos Baraza Mabonga, said on Wednesday, August 28 that he had received information that his site had been attacked by thugs.
The thugs were allegedly sent by his competitor, with whom they have had a long-running dispute over the mining site.
"This is not the first time my competitor has attacked and destroyed my property. I have lost property worth millions of shillings as a result of the unwarranted attacks. The first attack took place on January 25," said Mr Mabonga.
He called on the security authorities in the area to take up the matter and bring the alleged perpetrators to book.
"All this time, no action has been taken against him. When his thugs are arrested, he spends money to bail them out," he added.
The investor claims that the first time his property was invaded by the hired thugs, two people lost their lives.
"It is sad that as investors in this community, we are fighting instead of concentrating on improving the standards of our hosts," he said.
"The first time the hired thugs invaded the premises, two of my staff lost their lives. Sadly, no action was taken against them".
The investor wondered why his business continued to be attacked even after its operations were suspended by the courts.
He appealed for government assistance to protect his property and workers.
Some residents and some of the company's workers, led by Charles Otieno, protested the continued attacks and called for peaceful coexistence between the two investors.
They accused unnamed authorities of being compromised and appealed to the government to intervene to ensure that justice and order prevail.
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Rarieda Sub County Police Commander Sammy Olembakani told Nation.Africa that investigations were ongoing and arrests would soon be made.
"The police and the DCI are on the case. It is not true to say that the police are not doing anything," said the sub-county police boss.
He assured that "once the investigations are over, we will arrest all the perpetrators and bring them to book".
For his part, lawyer Danstan Omari revealed that he has already filed an application in court to have the order suspending the company's operations lifted, adding that they will also address the issue of the delay in action by the security agencies.
"Our laws protect everyone in this country. This is a local investor suffering at the hands of a foreign investor. Firstly, as a matter of urgency, I will take the matter to court to have the ban lifted," he said.
He continued: "It is surprising that my client is being attacked and his property looted, yet his operations were stopped five months ago. This is a huge investment worth millions; it contributes millions in taxes to the Republic of Kenya. There are hundreds of youths who were employed here and with the operations stopped, their livelihoods are also affected".
