A partial collapse at a gold mine in western Kenya has left a dozen miners trapped, authorities confirmed on Tuesday. The incident occurred late on Monday in the Kakamega region, which is known for its small-scale mining activities.
According to County Police Commander Daniel Makumbu, approximately 20 miners were working at the site when the collapse took place. So far, eight individuals have been rescued, while search and rescue efforts continue. Makumbu urged onlookers to stay away from the scene to allow rescue operations to proceed safely, as the area remains highly unstable.
Kenya’s mining sector, though smaller compared to its neighbors, has seen significant growth in recent years. However, much of the sector remains unregulated, leaving miners to contend with inadequate safety measures and the threat of organized crime.
In 2022, small-scale mining, predominantly focused on gold extraction, contributed $224 million to Kenya’s economy, accounting for nearly half of the nation’s total mining output. It also provided employment to approximately 250,000 individuals. Despite this economic importance, incidents like the collapse are frequent, underscoring the risks faced by workers in the sector.
Earlier in May 2024, a similar collapse at an unauthorized gold mine in the Hillo area, near the Ethiopian border, claimed the lives of at least five people after heavy rains weakened the mine’s structure.
Authorities are continuing their efforts to improve safety and regulation in the mining sector as the search for the trapped miners continues.
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