The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Three artisanal miners lost their lives on Sunday evening in a gold mine in Gem, Rera village, Siaya County, after a wall of the mine collapsed, trapping them inside for hours.
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By the time rescuers reached them, the miners were already dead. Their bodies were retrieved and taken to the Siaya County referral hospital mortuary for postmortem examinations.
Local leaders, including Siaya Governor and Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, arrived at the scene to assist in the rescue efforts. Governor Orengo expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and urged miners to prioritize safety while working in the mines.
However, Orengo criticized the government for not enforcing policies that could improve the conditions of artisanal miners. He emphasized that the Constitution guarantees economic benefits for miners, yet they receive nothing from their labor, with profits going to investors, some of whom are foreign. He called on the government to enforce laws that ensure the local population benefits from mineral extraction.
The Governor also expressed frustration that, even during rescue operations, the community had to provide the necessary resources like excavators, while those benefiting from the minerals did not contribute.
Otiende, too, highlighted the similar struggles of miners in his constituency and lamented the loss of young lives in these dangerous mining accidents. He added that he had recently spoken with Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho to ensure better safety measures in mining areas.
