A gold mine in western Kenya Collapsed, trapping four men inside the rubble. In the early hours of Thursday, February 9, the incident in Kakamega county occurred, initially trapping 12 artisanal workers for several hour.
Following hours of digging by community members, eight of them were rescued by morning, and they are reported to be in stable condition.
According to the authorities, the miners were working at an old mining tunnel without a permit from the local government.
“What they are doing is risking their lives and most of the people here are mostly youth who are doing this work. Due to the unemployment problem, people are putting their hands on anything that can put food on their table,” Kakamega county commissioner John Ondego said.
He further stated that nighttime mining will no longer be permitted.
Mine collapses are a common occurrence in parts of western Kenya.
The region was found to contain huge gold deosits, according to a report from the gold mining company Shanta Gold in 2021.
Author-Roberta Appiah
