Moyale’s Lifeline: Residents Demand Swift Reopening of Hillo Gold Mine Amid Rising Hardship
Economic despair is tightening its grip on Moyale, and residents are speaking out. Their demand? That the government move quickly to reopen the long-shuttered Hillo gold mine — once the community’s economic heartbeat. But here’s where it gets complicated: many locals say they’ve been left in the dark as new investors and officials tussle over control of the site.
During a tense meeting with a delegation from the National Assembly’s Administration and Internal Security Committee, led by Vice Chairperson Dido Rasso, residents voiced deep frustration over the town’s economic decline. For years, the Hillo mine sustained hundreds of families, but since operations stopped, job opportunities have vanished and businesses that depended on miners have shut down.
Abdikadir Waqo, one of the key speakers at the forum, urged the government to license small-scale miners who have been left jobless by the closure. He painted a stark picture of families going hungry and urged authorities to open a local police post to safeguard miners and nearby communities once operations resume. His plea brought a human face to the statistics: “This isn’t just about gold — it’s about survival.”
But another issue has stirred controversy. Several residents accused the company managing the mine of bypassing community consultations before starting operations. They argued that without genuine public participation, residents remain vulnerable while investors profit. In the words of one elder, “We don’t want outsiders to suffocate local miners. What we need is transparency and respect for community voices.” And this is the part most people miss — the tension isn’t just about reopening the mine, but about who truly benefits from its wealth.
Rashid, Chairperson of the Marsabit Artisanal Mining Cooperative Union, backed the calls for reopening, emphasizing that the move would not only revive livelihoods but also strengthen Kenya’s broader economy. He described the Hillo mine as a potential driver of national revenue if managed equitably and sustainably.
Meanwhile, regional security officials, led by Assistant County Commissioner Jimmy Ochoka, assured the delegation that safety at the mine site is being maintained. However, he admitted that illegal mining persists and has led to tragic fatalities. Ochoka stressed the importance of regulating mining activities to prevent accidents and ensure that all operations comply with national safety standards.
Area Member of Parliament, Prof. Guyo Wako Jaldessa, added another dimension to the debate. He argued that gold is a national asset that should be protected and carefully managed, not left idle. Dismissing claims that security issues justified the mine’s closure, Jaldessa insisted, “There’s no valid reason to keep this resource under lock and key when our people are suffering.”
The parliamentary committee now plans to visit the Hillo gold mine to assess conditions firsthand before recommending the next steps. Their findings could determine whether Moyale’s struggling economy will finally get the revival it desperately needs.
So what do you think — should the Hillo gold mine be reopened immediately to save livelihoods, or should the government proceed with caution to ensure long-term safety and fairness? Share your thoughts in the comments; this debate is far from over.
