More police officers sent to secure closed gold mines after five died while mining
The five were part of a team of seven illegal miners who sneaked into the guarded mine at night, a fortnight ago in search of the precious commodity.
The government has deployed more police officers to secure the 13 Hillo gold mines in Moyale, Marsabit County, that were closed down nearly three months ago, following clashes between rival groups that claimed seven lives.
The deployment was prompted by the recent death of five people who died after one of the mines within the Dabel area collapsed.
The five were part of a team of seven illegal miners who sneaked into the guarded mine at night, a fortnight ago in search of the precious commodity.
Acting County Commissioner David Saruni said the officers will ensure there are no more invasions and loss of lives at the mines.
During an interview on Marsabit's Radio Jangwani FM, Saruni warned residents against sneaking into the mines that have been described by the State as dangerous and disturbed.
"The area remains a no-go zone for residents and anyone disobeying the directive will face the full force of the law," he warned.
The mines are Hillo Gorgora, Hillo Walkite, Hillo Rabaalee, Hillo Godde Haroressa, Hillo Orofa, Hillo Tessum Qalicha, Hillo Hudda, Hillo Tanzania, Hillo Irress Abamartille, Hillo Qoranjido, Hillo Gootu, Hillo Karray, and Hillo Irress Ashindia.
On continued appeals by a section of the miners for the government to reopen the sites, Saruni said that mining activities will resume once requisite measures are in place to prevent the recurrence of the March incident but didn't divulge further details.
"Until we are satisfied that past occurrences will not recur, the mines will remain closed," the administrator maintained.
This is amid claims that some rogue government officers were facilitating activities despite the ban.
Security officers were deployed to enforce the ban immediately after it took effect on March 14.
The 30-day ban on mining activities ended in April, but Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki announced mid-last month that it remained in force.
The ban, CS Kindiki stated at the time, was to prevent the escalation of violence and criminal activities in the area, ostensibly due to a spate of grave security breaches.
Top Stories Today
