Grief has engulfed Kambi Karai village in Sekerr Ward, West Pokot County, after a woman died while two others narrowly survived after the gold mine they were working on caved in on them on Saturday, October 5.

Pokot Central Sub-County Police Commandant (OCPD) Nelson Omwenga says several people were working on the gold mines when the debris collapsed on them. “The two women were saved by locals with some injuries.”

Omwenga further says that the body of the woman has not yet been retrieved from the debris.

“Efforts are still underway to remove the body which is deep down in the debris,” he said.

David Domungura, a resident of Lami Nyeusi, says that the pits are dangerous and that poverty has pushed them into gold mining. He is urging national government to consider providing relief food to families affected by hunger.

“They visit the gold pits on a daily basis. They sell gold at Sh200 per gram. The hard economic times have affected everyone. Many people spend time in the gold mines for money,” he said.

West Pokot has limited gold deposits along River Muruny, Seker and parts of Alale, and limestone deposits in Sebit, Ortum, Muino and parts of Alale.

A lot of illegal gold mining also happens along the Kitale-Lodwar Highway with miners putting their lives at risk in search of a few grams of gold, all in the pursuit of striking a jackpot.

This comes after the Artisanal Mining Committee was early this year set up in the County to help curb illegal and dangerous mining that is rampant in the region.

Despite stern warnings from the government, fortune seekers have thrown caution to the wind, trooping to mining areas in search of gold.