The death toll following the collapse of a gold mine in the prohibited mining fields of Hillo in Moyale Sub County, Marsabit County has risen to five.
Marsabit acting county commissioner David Saruni said two other artisanal miners who were critically injured have been rescued and taken to Moyale sub-county Hospital for treatment.
Mr Saruni who took over on Friday from Nobert Komora who was transferred to Siaya County said one more person is reportedly trapped in the collapsed mine with efforts being made to retrieve the body.
The County Commissioner who is also chairman of the County security and intelligence committee said it was yet to be confirmed how many among the dead were foreigners with reports indicating that a male nurse working for the county government is among the dead.
The nurse based at Sololo is said to have been among the many speculators of the precious mineral but was not that lucky as he got killed when the mine caved in.
A claim which is yet to be verified also states that a security officer could be among the artisanal miners still trapped in the mine.
The mines were closed down through a Kenya gazette notice on March 13, 2024 which declared the fields as operation area and security personnel deployed with firm instructions barring access to any unauthorized person.
Eastern regional commissioner Paul Rotich who visited the area days after the ban to reinforce the government decision warned of dire consequences for any lapses.
Speaking to KNA today over the telephone, Mr Rotich said thorough investigations are underway adding that stern action would be taken against culprits.
“The government banned the mining activities because they were illegal and for security concerns,” said the regional commissioner adding that mechanisms were being applied to regulate the lucrative activity to the benefit of both the country and locals.
He expressed concern that officers entrusted with the implementation of the government directives decided to abdicate their duty for obvious reasons.
By Sebastian Miriti
