The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Two miners have lost their lives following separate gold mine collapses in Siaya and West Pokot counties, adding to the growing list of fatalities associated with unsafe mining activities.
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The most recent incident occurred on Sunday evening in Kambi Karaya, West Pokot, where a woman was buried inside a tunnel she had entered to extract gold. Her body was recovered by a multi-agency team after a prolonged rescue operation.
In a separate case reported on June 14 in Akala, Gem, Siaya County, a gold mine also caved in, instantly killing 24-year-old miner Stephen Owino Wanyumba. Police reported that several individuals were trapped during the incident, but five others managed to escape.
The deceased were taken to local mortuaries pending post-mortem examinations and further investigations.
These tragedies follow another deadly collapse in Karon village, West Pokot, on June 7, where four people died and five were injured. Authorities said the miners had returned to the pit at around 3:00 a.m., unaware that the soil had been destabilized by excavators used earlier in the day.
West Pokot Deputy County Commissioner Wycliffe Munanda explained that the miners were using basic tools like hoes and pickaxes, which is common practice, despite the risks posed by unstable terrain.
Gold mining continues to thrive across various regions of Kenya, even as authorities warn about the dangers posed by poorly regulated sites.
Experts blame the frequent collapses on the use of heavy machinery, which weakens tunnel walls and increases the risk of cave-ins.
West Pokot remains one of the country’s hotspots for artisanal gold mining, drawing many residents seeking to earn a living. Similar deadly incidents have been recorded in areas like Lirhembe in Ikolomani, Kakamega County, and Manyatta in Vihiga County.
In response to the rising number of accidents, the government has ordered a temporary halt to mining operations in certain areas to allow the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) to conduct environmental impact assessments and issue safety guidelines before any further activity can resume.
