Five feared dead, 10 trapped after gold mine collapses in West Pokot
West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin Kitalei said the incident occurred around 2 am, sending shockwaves through the local community.
Five people are feared dead and at least 10 others remain trapped after a gold mine collapsed early Saturday morning in Karon Village, West Pokot County.
West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin Kitalei said the incident occurred around 2:00 am, sending shockwaves through the local community.
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He confirmed the fatalities and said efforts to reach those still trapped are ongoing.
“Woke up to heartbreaking news of a gold mine accident in Turkwel at 2:00 am. Five lives lost, ten still trapped, others injured. My deepest condolences to the families. Quick recovery for the injured. We stand with you in prayer. Mutyo nyoman. May they rest in peace,” he said in a statement on X.
West Pokot Sub County Deputy County Commissioner Wycliffe Munanda said the miners had entered the pit when it caved in and buried them under debris.
“Nine people were inside the pit when it caved in. The five who were injured have been taken to Kapenguria County Referral Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the four deceased, three males and one female, have been moved to the hospital’s mortuary for post-mortem,” Munanda told the Standard.
He explained that the miners, using manual tools such as picks and hoes, had returned to the site at night, unaware that the ground had become unstable after excavators dug the pit during the day.
“They used manual tools at night, not knowing the ground was unstable. We have accounted for all the individuals who were trapped. No one is missing,” he said.
The collapse has once again brought safety concerns in West Pokot’s small-scale mining industry to the fore.
West Pokot County Commissioner Abdullahi Khalif condemned some local leaders for allegedly inciting residents against police officers who had responded to the emergency.
“Some leaders are misguiding the public and inciting them against law enforcement. The issue of mining must be approached carefully, and leaders must understand the laws and regulations governing mining operations,” Khalif said.
He said the national government was working to address challenges in the region’s mining sector.
“I’m in communication with the relevant ministry, and before the end of the month, officials will visit the county to address mining-related concerns,” he said.
Pokot South MP David Pkosing expressed his sorrow over the incident but took issue with fellow leaders whom he accused of undermining safe mining operations.
“It’s a tragedy. My heartfelt condolences to the families who lost loved ones,” Pkosing said.
“Just last week, careless politicians chased away machines that were being used to mine gold safely in Turkwel. These same families are forced to look for daily bread in unsafe conditions because those politicians offer no alternatives.”
He added: “If the machines had been allowed to operate, those who died would still be alive today. Shame on those irresponsible leaders. Now people can see their real intentions.”
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to improving safety and enforcing legal compliance in the region’s mining operations to prevent further loss of life.
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