National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has described the recently passed Mining (Amendment) Bill, 2025 as a landmark piece of legislation that could significantly increase county revenues while ensuring communities living in mining areas benefit directly from the country’s mineral wealth.
Speaking during a church service at Friends Church Amalemba in Lurambi Constituency, Kakamega County, Wetang’ula said the Bill, which was approved by the National Assembly before its three-week recess, introduces clearer guidelines on the sharing and utilisation of mineral royalties and provides a framework for faster transfer of benefits to counties and local communities.
“The mining that is happening in Kakamega makes sense to the national economy, the county economy and the people. The Mining (Amendment) Bill will ensure everyone benefits and feels empowered,” said Wetang’ula.
The Speaker said the legislation, which now awaits presidential assent, could strengthen counties’ revenue streams and reduce overreliance on allocations from the national government.
He urged Kakamega County to position itself to take advantage of the opportunities expected to arise from the new law.
“I urge the county government to closely follow the progress of this legislation because it outlines the royalties and responsibilities that will directly benefit Kakamega County and grassroots communities. If Kakamega is the gold capital of Kenya, the county will be able to give the national government revenue. The county will no longer rely on the national government as has been the case,” he said.
Wetang’ula also disclosed that the government was keen on establishing a gold refinery in Kakamega to enable value addition at source, create jobs and stimulate local economic growth.
The Speaker said:
“We are committed to establishing modern gold refining factories in Kakamega to enable value addition, improve livelihoods and create more employment and business opportunities for our people.”
According to the Speaker, local mineral processing would reduce dependence on exporting raw minerals, attract investment and position Kakamega as a key mineral-processing hub with far-reaching economic benefits for residents and the wider region.
The mining discussion quickly blended into politics, with Wetang’ula calling on residents to support the broad-based government and rally behind President William Ruto’s re-election bid.
He argued that the Western region needed to rethink its political approach and embrace collaboration.
“Western region has for a while entertained opposition politics. Other regions work together but, as leaders, we attack each other. It’s time to reset, rethink our political strategy and plan,” he said.
His remarks were echoed by Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa who pledged to mobilise support for President Ruto and challenged young people to register as voters.
“Young people, register as voters. We need numbers. A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Our journey is 2032. Each leader has set a target and cumulatively we want to deliver four million votes to the President’s basket,” said Barasa.
Wetang’ula expressed confidence in President Ruto’s political prospects saying Western Kenya would play a central role in the country’s future leadership.
“Nothing is going to stand in the way of President William Ruto. Let us support him because the next President will be from Western,” he said.
The Speaker also defended the Kenya Kwanza administration’s development record, arguing that consistent policies and a clear vision were essential to national progress.
“Singapore is a dream come true for humanity. We were on the same level but due to consistent policies, development, hard work by the people and a positive attitude, they have left us behind,” he said.
Governor Barasa said the region had benefited from appointments and development projects under the current administration and pledged continued support for President Ruto.
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“We have witnessed the generosity of the President in appointments of people from the Western region. We have seen development in this administration. We are grateful and are firmly behind President William Ruto and we will campaign for him,” he said.
Lurambi MP Titus Khamala urged Wetang’ula to continue building political alliances across the country, saying the region should now focus on producing a president.
“We must graduate to a higher position as a region. We have held senior positions up to Vice President. We must now produce a President and we must have the right formula to produce the President,” said Khamala.
Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe credited President Ruto with reviving the sugar sector and said farmers were now receiving payments promptly after delivering cane to factories.
“We are no longer broke. When we harvest our cane and deliver it to the factory, we are paid within seven days,” said Wangwe.
Wetang’ula later attended separate fundraising events in Aldai Constituency, Nandi County, and Kibiko in Kajiado County.
