Uriri parliamentary aspirant Evans Ogutu has moved to clarify growing public concern and political tension surrounding an application to lease approximately 900 acres of land in Nyatike Sub-County, emphasizing that the process is procedural and not linked to any political figure, including Hellen Obado.
Addressing the media, Ogutu explained that the application was formally made by Global Search Company through the legally established channels within the Migori County Government and the National Land Commission, and not by individuals or political proxies.
According to Ogutu, the company submitted its request through the Office of the County Secretary before the matter was tabled before the Migori County Executive Cabinet and subsequently forwarded to the County Assembly for deliberation.
“The application we made to lease the land followed all the due process required under the law. The request first went through the office of the county secretary, then the county cabinet before it was forwarded to the county assembly for further consideration by the relevant committee before it can be transmitted to the National Land Commission,” Ogutu said.
He noted that the proposed investment aims to establish a modern gold processing plant alongside complementary agricultural projects such as cotton farming, with the goal of boosting local livelihoods and creating employment opportunities for residents of Nyatike and the wider Migori region.
No Link to Hellen Obado
Ogutu strongly dismissed allegations circulating in political circles that the project is linked to Hellen Obado, stating that such claims are misleading and politically motivated.
He explained that while the company’s proprietor may have historical familial relations with the Obado family, the project itself is a corporate undertaking and not a political venture.
“The requisition was made by the company as a corporate entity and not by individuals or proxies of any politician. The narrative that Hellen Obado is involved in the leasing process is inaccurate and intended to politicise a development initiative,” he said.
Ogutu further clarified that Global Search is a local company registered under LR Number 17955 and has since grown into a multinational enterprise managed by different corporate entities.
“The company was initially associated with Hellen Obado but has since evolved into a multinational entity managed independently. It is therefore misleading to link her to the current application or operational decisions,” he added.
Development-Driven Investment
Ogutu stressed that the proposed project is not intended for mining operations across the entire 900 acres, but rather for the establishment of a gold processing facility and related infrastructure.
He said the investment would require significant capital outlay estimated at about Sh1.5 billion, explaining that the company has requested a 30-year lease period to allow for recovery of investment and sustainable operations.
“There is no single processing plant that could occupy 900 acres. Our application is specifically for a processing plant, while other portions of the land would be used for infrastructure development and agricultural activities such as cotton farming,” he said.
Ogutu emphasized that the land in question had previously been gazetted as forest land and that any decision regarding its allocation remains subject to review by the County Assembly, public participation processes, and eventual approval by the National Land Commission.
Employment and Community Impact
The Uriri parliamentary aspirant also highlighted the company’s track record in employment creation and community development initiatives within Migori County.
He revealed that the firm currently employs more than 300 youths across three mining sites in Mikeyi, Kalangi, Kabobo, and Arombe in Suna West, with a salary turnover running into millions of shillings annually.
“Our company has been instrumental in bridging unemployment gaps in the region. Many young people who previously worked in risky and unregulated mining shafts now have safer and more structured employment,” Ogutu said.
He cited several corporate social responsibility initiatives already undertaken by the company, including the construction of a community dam in Kalangi, installation of a power line in the same area, and drilling of a borehole awaiting equipping.
Additionally, the company plans to construct classrooms at Mikeyi Primary School and Masara Primary School as part of its continued commitment to community development.
Call to De-Politicise the Debate
Ogutu urged political leaders to refrain from turning the land lease application into a political contest, noting that the matter is still under consideration by the relevant county institutions.
“We should not politicise an investment that is meant to improve the livelihoods of our people. If there are procedural concerns, they should be raised through the county assembly and relevant oversight structures rather than through blanket condemnation,” he said.
He added that the project seeks to empower local investors and ensure that opportunities in the gold sector benefit the communities where the resources are located.
“No one is taking away the people’s land. What we are asking for is a fair process that allows local investors to participate in development instead of opening the door exclusively to foreign companies,” Ogutu stated.
The proposal is expected to undergo further scrutiny by the Migori County Assembly committee before being forwarded to the National Land Commission, which will oversee public participation and final determination on the lease request.
Ogutu reiterated that the company remains committed to transparency and community engagement throughout the process.
“Our focus is development, job creation, and empowering local communities. Politics should not derail initiatives that have the potential to transform the livelihoods of our people,” he said.
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