A couple in West Pokot County is feared dead after a gold mine they were working at caved in, burying them alive on Tuesday evening at Kambi Karaya near Lami Nyeusi in Pokot Central Sub County.
Sarmach Sub Location Assistant Chief Benjamin Lotudo said on Wednesday morning that the rescue mission was still underway, although the rescuers are afraid the couple might have perished in the mine.
“The man, aged 31, and his wife, 28, were both still trapped in the mine by this morning, and we fear for their lives. We have tried to remove them, but in vain,” said Lotudo.
Confirming the incident, West Pokot County Police Commander Peter Kattam cited that the two were mining gold before meeting the tragedy, adding that they were deep in the rubble.
He said that efforts to rescue the two were becoming futile because the rescuers needed machines to conduct the operation.
Kattam noted that the pits are dangerous, and the fact that the security team had not reached the miners using traditional mining tools such as drills and spades has complicated the rescue.
A resident, David Domungura, noted that the couple was fending for their family, but unfortunately, they met their fate.
“This is not their first time working on the mines because they visit the gold pits daily. Neighbours heard their distress calls and rushed to rescue them, but unfortunately, the two had already been buried alive,” said Domongura, afraid that the two might have succumbed because of the dangerous nature of the mine.
He revealed that many locals within the area have resorted to gold mining for cash owing to the hunger and food shortages being witnessed in the region.
“The hard economic times have driven many families in the mines to at least get some cash to put food on the table,” he said.
He claimed that one gramme of gold was being sold at a throwaway price of Sh200, making it difficult for the miners to save anything for the following day, unlike in other areas like Ortum, where a similar quantity goes for Sh6,000.
Domungura has urged the national government to consider providing relief food to families affected by hunger to help avoid such eventualities.
By Anthony Melly and Richard Muhambe
