The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has announced the cancellation of a scheduled public hearing for the proposed Isulu-Bushiangala Underground Gold Mining Project in Kakamega South Sub-County.

The hearing, which was set to be conducted on November 12, 2025, at Bushiangala Technical Training Institute, was meant to get opinions from the residents of Musoli and Isulu sites regarding the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report by Shanta Gold Kenya Limited.

According to NEMA, the cancellation was because of the “unavoidable circumstances which would have hindered free, fair, inclusive, and meaningful participation of all interested and affected parties.”

Commitment to Public Participation

NEMA reaffirmed its transparency and inclusiveness in environmental decision-making in a public notice dated November 11, 2025.

The agency highlighted that the public hearings in the ESIA process are meant to advance the right to public participation in governance in accordance with Regulation 22 of the Environmental (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, 2003, and the Public Order Act, Cap. 56.

“NEMA regrets the inconvenience caused and wishes to inform the public that public hearings in the ESIA process are held to advance the right to public participation in environmental governance and decision making for all,” the notice stated.

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Future Communication and Enquiries

NEMA urged the local people and interested parties who required further details to call the Director General at the headquarters of the Authority, Popo Road, South C, Nairobi, or email him at info@nema.go.ke.

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The Authority assured that the updates regarding the postponement of the hearing will be communicated in due course, underscoring its commitment to ensuring that all parties affected have a fair opportunity to impact the process.

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A notice from NEMA regarding the cancellation of the public hearing of the Kakamega Gold Mining Project
PHOTO/NEMA