A gold mining tragedy struck West Pokot County on Sunday evening, killing one person and trapping several others after a mine collapsed in the Kambi Karaya area. The latest disaster has reignited concerns about the safety of artisanal mining in the region, which has experienced a string of recent collapses.
At approximately 5:30 p.m., the mine gave way. Police at Marich Station quickly received the report and alerted emergency teams. Consequently, officers from the National Police Service, Kenya Defence Forces, and Kenya Red Cross rushed to the scene. So far, they have recovered the body of a female miner, while rescue operations continue to search for others still buried beneath the rubble.
Just days earlier, another collapse in Karon village left four miners dead and five injured. In that case, miners had returned to the pit at night with manual tools, unaware that excavators had already destabilized the soil earlier that day.
The alarming frequency of these incidents has stirred response from leaders. West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin expressed his condolences and vowed to take action.
“This is a county of hidden treasures, but they must be harnessed safely,” he said. He also pledged to collaborate with national authorities to enforce better oversight and safety protocols.
As a result of the escalating crisis, the State Department of Mining has established a county-level office in West Pokot to enforce regulations more effectively. Meanwhile, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has suspended all mining operations in Kambi Karaya and Lami Nyeusi, areas along the River Turkwel, citing environmental degradation and unlicensed activity.
Despite the presence of more than 200 mining sites in the region, most continue to operate without valid Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) licenses. This lack of oversight not only exposes miners to danger but also jeopardizes surrounding communities and ecosystems.
