A tragic gold mine collapse in the Kambi Karaya area of West Pokot County has left one woman dead and several others trapped underground. The incident, reported at Marich Police Station at 5:30 p.m., has prompted an urgent multi-agency rescue operation.
According to a statement from the National Police Service (NPS), the mine caved in while a number of artisanal miners were working inside. “At Kambi Karaya area, an unknown number of artisanal gold prospectors are believed buried alive. Efforts are underway to retrieve any casualties. One female casualty has been retrieved deceased,” the NPS confirmed.
Rescue teams comprising officers from the National Police Service, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), and the Kenya Red Cross Society are currently on the ground, working tirelessly to locate and retrieve the trapped miners. The operation is being hampered by unstable soil and the risk of further collapses, but efforts remain ongoing and determined.
This is the second such tragedy to hit West Pokot in just 10 days. On June 7, a similar collapse occurred in Karon village, Turkwel area, resulting in the deaths of four miners. The repeated nature of these incidents has intensified scrutiny over the safety of artisanal mining in the region.
Artisanal mining is a primary source of income for many locals, but the sector remains poorly regulated and inherently dangerous. Makeshift shafts and lack of proper safety gear often put miners at severe risk. In the wake of the latest tragedy, community leaders and civil society organizations are renewing calls for government intervention.
“This is a wake-up call,” said a local activist. “We must address the lack of safety standards and enforce regulations to prevent further loss of life.”
As rescue operations continue into the night, the families of the missing wait in anguish, hoping for miracles in the dust and rubble. The tragedy underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in Kenya’s informal mining sector to safeguard lives and livelihoods.
