18/04/2026
TURKANA CENTRAL|KALOKOL WARD-KAPUA GYPSUM MINING GAME
For record and posterity, yesterday, I highlighted storyline about gypsum mining at Kapua and its gypsum collection point at Kalotum; more importantly raising genuine concerns about community's sustainability aspect, CSR project and healthcare issues related to ongoing mining activities at Kapua---the upper Kalokol belt.That said, Kapua trading center is about 42 kilometres from Lodwar Municipality; and 17 kilometres from Kalokol-Kapua junction deep interior.
The discovery and mining of gypsum at Kapua began early last year[2025].Fortunately, gypsum mining activity is supervised by local resident[son of Kapua] who brought an investor interested in gypsum mining.The community meeting is convened attended by the area chief, elders, community and Kapua professionals.The meeting is purposely to inform and involve community in exploration of gypsum deposits at Kapua and how proceeds from the sale of gypsum is shared; relief to cushion community from loins of hardship, elevating their living standards to sustainable levels.
However, what is agreed in the meeting isn't implemented; instead it went against the laid down agreed recommendations.
Pathetically, as I write:
• The miners are counting losses, writhing in great pain and in deep regret, they've not been paid for almost two to three months now. Some are unable to pay medical bills and are being detained in health facilities; this is caused by fine dust inhaled from the mining site.
• The mining is ongoing without involvement of key stakeholders, especially Kapua professionals aren't in the picture.
• The Kes.1000[ give back to community for resource exploitation] agreed for trailer truck laden with gypsum per day isn't working.
•The recommended price per wheelbarrow of gypsum is uncertain---no one is even talking about; instead, the miner takes foodstuff from temporal makeshift at mining site disguised as shop to calm down miners' anger from extortionist prpractice of depriving them of their hard earned labor toils.
Finally, as certified human rights defenders, I appeal to HE Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai to urgently revoke this licence issued to the mining investor at Kapua. The miners and community are left in great shock: that the play game between an investor and local resident supervisor is lowering their confidence for your second term.
