A police officer is among two people killed following a fierce gunfight involving National Police Service (NPS) officers at a gold mine in Dabel, Marsabit County.
Marsabit County Commissioner James Kamau- while confirming the incident which happened on Friday, July 19, 2024, said that the two died following a deadly shootout between the officers and gold miners at the mining site.
The Commander said that the other fatality is a middle-aged man, further adding that several others sustained injuries.
A police report indicated that the incident occurred after a group of about 3,000 people breached security and forcibly entered the site, overpowering the police.
Following the forceful breach, an altercation ensued, and people started pelting the officers with stones before they were repulsed.
“At some point, the attackers fired at the police and the officers responded but they were overpowered because the police were being attacked from all corners. In the process, several officers sustained various body injuries,” read the report in part.
Police Officer Killed After Clash at Gold mine
The locals in a second attempt after regrouping, armed with assorted crude weapons, attacked the police officers before invading the site again.
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Authorities further said that the attackers also stole two G3 rifles with 40 rounds of live ammunition belonging to a seriously injured officer and the deceased officer.
The bodies of the deceased were moved to Moyale sub-county hospital awaiting postmortem.
Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Moyale have since visited the scene for analysis and documentation.
The incident brings the total number of casualties at Dabel Gold site to 23.
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Less than a month ago, five people died while two others sustained serious injuries after the Hilo gold mine collapsed.
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Marsabit County Police Commander Patrick Mwakio while confirming the incident said that the miners were engaged in gold panning when the shaft collapsed.
Mwakio added that the miners died on the spot after the mine debris covered them while they were conducting illegal gold mining.
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Prof. Kithure Kindiki had in March 2024 ordered the closure of the Dabel Artisanal Mining sites citing security concerns.
Kindiki in a Kenya Gazette notice declared the area disturbed and dangerous, issuing vacation orders.
However, despite the government order prohibiting mining activities, the Marsabit County Police Commander noted that the miners had infiltrated the mines.
“The miners ignored the government’s directive and ventured into the mine, which had been classified as a disturbed area,” noted Mwakio.
Situated near the Kenya-Ethiopia border in Dabel, the Hilo Gold mine has been a focal point for gold mining activities, attracting numerous youths seeking to earn a living through gold scavenging.
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