Scores injured as chaos mars meeting in Macalder copper mines

Women at Nyatike copper mines. [File, Standard]

Several people were injured after chaos erupted at a meeting in Macalder copper mines where officials who accompanied Governor Ochilo Ayacko had their vehicles pelted with stones.

Governor Ayacko was scheduled to attend the meeting with officials of artisanal miners.

During the fracas, one of the vehicles was set on fire as residents lit bonfires on the road to protest the assault on Macalder Kanyarwanda MCA Felix Okwanyo by unknown assailants.

The MCA was rushed to Macalder hospital where he received first aid before being admitted to a hospital in Migori town.

The governor said he was informed earlier that tension was high in the area.

"I went to copper hills in Macalder Kanyarwanda ward to talk to the artisanal miners and generally look at the place and conceptualise what is going on. The particular place had its own tension before I got there," Governor Ayacko who addressed the Press at his home in Suna West sub-county said.

Ayacko revealed that the meeting with artisanal miners was aimed at establishing challenges affecting their operations.

He was accompanied by the chair of artisanal miners committee, security personnel including the area Deputy County Commissioner and a host of county officials.

The governor claimed that he was informed that the area MCA had engaged in a fight with some people and by the time he arrived the ward rep had left.

There was more trouble after residents started throwing stones immediately the governor finished addressing the representatives of artisanal miners.

"I witnessed the tension when we were about to leave the area," Governor Ayacko said.

The angry residents pelted stones at the crowd that was at the meeting and parked vehicles, leaving scores with injuries and property damaged.

Police were forced to shot in the air to disperse the rowdy residents.

People gathered at the meeting scampered for safety as others drove away their vehicle.

The governor denied claims that they wanted to sell off the copper hills to some investors saying the county government does not trade in gold and copper and the land belongs to the people.

"It is our mandate to safeguard the welfare of the people. We did not go there to sell anything as some people claim but to visit the people and know the challenges they were facing," Ayacko said.

Macalder Kanyarwanda MCA who is admitted to Life Care Hospital said goons attacked him at the mining site.

"I have a mining site where I work when I am not on official duties at the assembly. That is the exact place where I was attacked by goons before fleeing after some women who saw them beating me screamed for help," Mr Okwanyo said.

The MCA who claimed that there was a deal to sell off the copper hills to some Chinese company vowed to stand with the people and protect their interests.

"The residents have complained that Chinese want to take away copper mines from them but no one is acting. I have also raised their concerns and no action is being taken," Okwayo stated.

He asked leaders to come out and stand with the artisanal miners.