A gold mine in western Kenya partially collapsed late Monday, trapping a dozen miners underground, police confirmed on Tuesday.
Kenya’s mining sector remains relatively small compared to its neighbors, and despite recent growth, much of the industry operates without regulation, exposing miners to poor safety conditions and the influence of organized crime.
Daniel Makumbu, a county police commander in Kakamega, told AFP that around 20 miners were working at the site when the collapse occurred. “So far, eight have been rescued, and the search and rescue operation is ongoing,” he said.
Authorities have urged onlookers to stay clear of the site to prevent further instability. “The area is very fragile, and we want to ensure no additional risks to the rescue teams or the public,” Makumbu added.
According to a report by Africa’s Institute for Security Studies, legal small-scale gold mining contributed approximately $224 million to Kenya’s economy in 2022, accounting for nearly half of the country’s total mining output and providing jobs for around 250,000 people.
This incident follows a similar tragedy in May 2024, when heavy rains triggered the collapse of an unauthorized gold mine in the Hillo area near the Ethiopian border, claiming at least five lives. Rescue teams are now racing against time to reach those still trapped underground.
