Nature of Conflicts resulting from Artisanal Gold Exploration in Ikolomani Sub-County, Kakamega County-Kenya

Abstract

Gold mining has caused many conflicts in different parts of the world. The mining communities conflict because of the scarce resources and the high demand of the precious gold. Most of the mining communities are poor, and find it necessary to extract the gold to try and put bread on the table. Artisanal miners do not have the required equipment to mine gold. There arise many conflicts in Ikolomani that would not be there if gold mining was not done. This research investigated the nature of conflicts resulting from gold mining in Ikolomani-Sub County. The paper aims at examining the contribution of gold mining to conflict in the region. Thus, the results reveal the manifestation of conflict resulting from gold mining, the causes, and the parties that conflict because of gold mining.