A gold mining mission turned tragic after four people were buried alive in a pit mine at Lami area on Lodwar-Kitale highway in West Pokot county on Tuesday morning.
Among the dead are three men and one woman. Another miner was seriously injured and was rushed to Kapenguria County Referral Hospital.
The incident happened when the pit mine caved in as the five were digging for the precious mineral. Nasolot Location Chief Michael Mwotor confirmed the incident.
“The legs of the survivor were broken and he was rushed to hospital,” he said.
He added that the pits are dangerous, and rescue teams could only reach the victims and bodies using rudimentary tools such as drills and spades, reducing chances of saving lives.
Mr Mwotor said hunger has pushed residents into gold mining, and many were putting their lives at risk.
“The men were prospecting for gold to get money to buy food but unfortunately they died”, he said.
“They visit the gold pits on a daily basis. Neighbors heard their cries and rushed to rescue them. Unfortunately, the four had already died."
Pokot Central Sub-County police commandant Nelson Omwenga said the bodies had been retrieved and taken to Kapenguria County Referral Hospital mortuary.
Sigor MP Peter Lochakapong called for investigations into the incident as he advised residents to look for alternative ways of survival.
The deaths come after an artisanal mining committee was set up in the county to help curb illegal mining that is rampant in the region.
Despite stern warnings from the government, fortune seekers have thrown caution to the wind, trooping to mining centres in search of gold.
West Pokot County Commissioner Khaliff Abdullahi said they were still compiling a full report on the incident.
“We have been telling residents not to engage in illegal mining but it seems the message fell on deaf ears. We must stop this illegal venture,” said Mr Khaliff.
He revealed that mining is taking place in Pokot North, Pokot Central, and a location referred to as County 48, where entry is strictly prohibited due to the presence of cartels engaged in illegal mining.
‘‘In Tapach Ward, specifically at River Suguta, we are well aware of the distressing situation,’’ he said.
West Pokot disaster management chief officer David Chepelion warned locals against engaging in dangerous activities such as gold mining which has for the longest time killed people in unclear circumstances.
West Pokot has limited gold deposits along river Muruny, Seker and parts of Alale, limestone deposits in Sebit, Ortum, Muino and parts of Alale.
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.
