NAIROBI, Kenya – Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has called on gold miners to prioritise their safety following a mine collapse in Shinyalu, Kakamega County, that left several workers trapped underground.
The incident, which occurred around 6 p.m. on Monday, saw 20 miners trapped after the walls of the mineshaft caved in.
A coordinated rescue effort involving the Kenya Red Cross, county disaster teams, the police, and local residents managed to pull eight miners out alive, with no reported injuries.
Search operations are still underway to locate the remaining miners.
Reacting to the tragedy, Mudavadi underscored the importance of safety measures in mining operations, emphasizing that no livelihood should come at the cost of human life.
“To all miners, I urge you to prioritise safety and exercise utmost caution in your operations. Your lives are invaluable, and no measure is too great when it comes to ensuring your well-being,” Mudavadi said in a statement.
The Prime CS acknowledged the efforts of the rescue teams and expressed hope that the remaining miners would be found alive.
“The news of at least 12 miners trapped in a gold mine in Shinyalu, Kakamega, is deeply distressing. I call upon the rescue teams to exhaust every possible effort to bring those still underground to safety,” he added.
The news of at least 12 miners trapped in a gold mine in Shinyalu, Kakamega is deeply distressing. I call upon the rescue teams to exhaust every possible effort to bring those still underground to safety. While it’s a relief to hear that eight miners have been successfully…
Shinyalu sub-county police commander Daniel Makumbu confirmed that rescue operations would continue until all miners were accounted for.
He also warned residents against gathering near the collapsed site, citing safety concerns.
“The area around the collapsed shaft is risky, and we are not going to allow people to mill near it because we do not want more casualties,” he stated.
Kakamega County is rich in gold deposits, attracting many artisanal miners seeking to make a living.
However, the sector remains largely unregulated, and accidents like Monday’s collapse have become a recurring danger.
