Wednesday, February 12, 2025
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Several People Buried Alive, Rescue Operations Underway

Several miners are still trapped after a gold mine collapsed in Khayega, Kakamega County on the evening of Monday, February 3, 2025.

In a statement at 9pm, Kenya Red Cross said a multi-agency team, including the Kenya Red Cross and county disaster teams, is on-site responding to the incident.

“So far, one miner has been rescued,” Kenya Red Cross said.

In a subsequent update, the Agency said seven more people had been rescued and were in good health.

In another update at 0942Hrs on February 4, Kenya Red Cross said 12 people have been rescued.

Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho...Kakamega
Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho. PHOTO/Joho.

“Our teams remain on the ground, continuing search and rescue efforts,” it added.

Updates from Area MP & Police Commander

Shinyalu Member of Parliament Fred Ikana confirmed that 12 people are still trapped in the mine.

“We are working to ensure the miners are rescued alive. There were about 20 miners in the mine, and we rescued 8 people alive. 12 people are still trapped,” he said.

He explained that the emergency response teams do not have the necessary machines to rescue.

However, Ikana said he is working closely with Governor Fernandes Barasa to ensure all the miners are found alive.


Also Read: Joho Starts Mining Gold in Contested Area


“We have many challenges because we don’t have enough equipment to rescue them. I have held discussions with governor Fernades Barasa to ensure we bring together equipment to help in the rescue efforts,” he said.

Ikana explained that the miners were working to earn a living just like any other citizen.

“These youth were struggling to earn a living, but every job has its challenges,” Ikana said.

Shinyalu Sub County Police Commander Daniel Makumbu also confirmed that eight had been rescued, while twelve remain trapped.

The SPC added that Rescue operations were underway, and that no fatalities had been reported.


Also Read: Forex vs Gold: Why More Traders are Picking Precious Metals


Kakamega Gold Mine Accidents

Kakamega county has experienced such incidents in the last two subsequent years around the same period.

In March 2024, one miner was killed while another was seriously injured after a gold mining site collapsed in Lirhembe village, Ikolomani.

The two were among a group of miners at the mine site when the walls collapsed trapping them.

There was a similar incident in February 2023 when a goldmine collapsed burying 15 men in Sigalagala Village.

Similarly, five people died, while several others were seriously injured after the collapse of the Ikolomani mine in May 2021.

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 Gold mining at Olini, close to Migori, Kenya. PHOTO | POOL ..Kakamega
Gold mining at Olini, close to Migori, Kenya. PHOTO | POOL

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Edwin Hinda

Edwin Hinda is a versatile and creative journalist with a keen interest in politics, sports, education, international affairs, entertainment, and soft content. With a degree in Communication and Media Technology (Print Option) with IT from Maseno University, Edwin brings a well-rounded academic background to his work. He excels in conducting thorough interviews and in-depth research, ensuring that his stories are both informative and engaging. He can be reached at edwin.hinda@thekenyatimes.com

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