Four people, including a 14-year-old boy, lost their lives on Thursday after a gold mine collapsed in Kambi Karaya, Pokot Central, West Pokot County. The victims were among a group of artisanal miners working in the shaft when the ground suddenly caved in, burying them under debris.
Witnesses said panic spread quickly as fellow miners and villagers rushed to the site to try and rescue those trapped underground. Despite their efforts, four lives were lost before emergency responders arrived. Several other miners are feared to be trapped, and rescue operations are ongoing.
The deaths have renewed concerns over the safety of artisanal mining in the region, where poor infrastructure and lack of regulation often expose workers to life-threatening risks. The fact that a teenager was among the dead has sparked outrage and raised questions about the involvement of minors in dangerous mining activities.
This is not the first time Kambi Karaya has witnessed such tragedy. In June, a similar collapse claimed the lives of miners, underscoring how frequent and deadly such incidents have become in West Pokot’s informal gold mines. Experts and local leaders point to unstable soil, poor excavation methods, and lack of safety gear as recurring problems that put miners in constant danger.
Authorities have promised to investigate the latest collapse to determine the exact cause and to hold those responsible accountable. County officials also vowed to step up efforts to regulate artisanal mining, which remains an important source of income for many residents despite the hazards.
For the families of the victims, however, the promises offer little comfort. As they mourn their loved ones, the community is left to grapple with the harsh reality of a trade that continues to claim lives while providing livelihoods.
The tragedy has reignited calls from both local leaders and human rights advocates for stricter oversight of small-scale mining, greater investment in safety measures, and education to discourage child labor in such high-risk environments. Until such measures are enforced, residents fear that accidents like the one in Kambi Karaya will continue to take a devastating toll.
IMAGE : NTV DIGITAL
