WEST POKOT, Kenya – At least four people died and five others were seriously injured after a gold mine collapsed early Saturday in Karon village, West Pokot County—yet another fatal incident in Kenya’s poorly regulated artisanal mining sector.
According to local authorities, the miners had returned to the site around 3 a.m., digging manually with picks and hoes under the cover of darkness when the unstable pit suddenly caved in, burying nine workers beneath the rubble.
“We understand that nine people were inside the pit when it collapsed. The five survivors were rescued and taken to Kapenguria County Referral Hospital,” said Wycliffe Munanda, the West Pokot subcounty Deputy County Commissioner.
The bodies of the deceased—three men and one woman—were recovered and taken to the hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations.
Officials say the miners had resumed work at night, unaware that the soil structure had weakened after excavators had operated at the site during the day.
“They used manual tools not knowing the ground had become loose. We’ve accounted for everyone who was inside the pit. No one is missing,” Munanda added.
The tragedy has sparked outrage and finger-pointing among political leaders, with some accusing their counterparts of undermining safety efforts for political gain.
Pokot South MP David Pkosing blamed fellow leaders for allegedly sabotaging safe mining initiatives by inciting residents against the use of machines.
“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,” Pkosing said.
West Pokot County Commissioner Abdullahi Khalif condemned what he termed as politically charged interference, saying it hampers emergency response efforts and the enforcement of mining regulations.
“The issue of mining must be approached carefully. Leaders need to respect the laws governing mining operations,” Khalif said, adding that the national government is working to resolve the county’s mining safety challenges.
West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin also mourned the victims and called for a coordinated effort to avert future disasters.
“This is a painful moment for our county. I send my sympathies to the bereaved families and wish a speedy recovery to those injured. We must work together to prevent such tragedies by enforcing safety laws,” he said in a statement.
Kenya has witnessed several deadly mine collapses in recent years, with West Pokot among the regions frequently affected due to informal and unsafe mining practices.
Despite government directives requiring an environmental impact assessment by the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), illegal mining persists in various counties.
Gold mining remains a major source of livelihood for many residents, but the use of heavy equipment without proper structural reinforcement continues to weaken pit walls, often with deadly consequences.
Similar accidents have been reported in gold-rich areas such as Lirhembe in Kakamega and Manyatta in Vihiga County.
Authorities say they are committed to tightening safety regulations and ensuring compliance to prevent more deaths.
