Senator Boni Khalwale’s Nephew Feared Dead

Speaking at the scene, Khalwale condemned investors in the region, accusing them of exploiting local youth while profiting from the area’s gold resources without community involvement.

Additionally, he said that the investors smuggled approximately Ksh1.2 billion worth of gold from the mine every month. 

“I am currently at Machilisi village, where a gold mine collapsed last night, trapping 22 men. So far, 19 have been rescued, but three are feared dead, including my nephew, Sasita Chui,” Khalwale stated.

He attributed the tragedy to unsafe mining practices, blaming investors for taking shortcuts that endanger local miners.

“For over a century, our people have engaged in gold mining safely. However, investors like Shanta Gold, who has been here for over 20 years, claim to be conducting research while secretly extracting gold,” he added.

Also Read: Joho Starts Mining Gold in Contested Area

Senator Khalwale Calls on CS Joho

At the same time, the Senator called on the government to put in place regulations that allow the county government to receive revenue from the mining activities. 

“We are not creating any pressure, what we want to see is the Ksh1.2 billion, is given back to the county government to help develop this community including these young people who are hustling here and the owners of the parcels of land. Any other threat cannot work,” he said. 

Further, he called on the mining Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho to go to the grassroots areas and understand the problem the communities were experiencing. 

“Joho you have seen that I have never come to your office because there is no mining going on there. If you want to talk about mining come to our communities, because that is where the mining is being done.”

Also Read: Armed Gang Raids Gold Mine, Steals Property Worth Millions

Rescue Operation at the Mine

Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities and local miners work to retrieve those still trapped.

In a statement released at 9 PM, the Kenya Red Cross confirmed that a multi-agency team, including its responders and county disaster teams, was actively managing the rescue operation at the site.

As of 9:42 AM on February 4, the Kenya Red Cross confirmed that a total of 12 people had been rescued.

later, Fred Ikana, the Member of Parliament for Shinyalu, confirmed that 12 individuals remained trapped in the mine.

“There were approximately 20 miners in the mine, and we have managed to rescue 8 of them. Unfortunately, 12 are still trapped,” he stated.

Also, he explained that the emergency response teams lack the necessary equipment for a full rescue operation.

Ikana added that he is collaborating closely with Governor Fernandes Barasa to ensure that all the miners are safely recovered.