Miner killed after intruding into gold tunnel

A miner who had intruded into a gold mining tunnel died after being trapped by a wall in Kitere, Rongo in Migori county.

Police and the Chinese owners of the site said a group of intruders had invaded their shaft using an illegal tunnel when the incident happened on February 17.

The suspected accomplices of the deceased later ran riot at the site and destroyed property after learning about his death.

Police had to intervene for the body to be moved to the mortuary.

Police said the deceased, identified as Enock Omwami, 30, was not an employee at the site and had intruded into the place at night.

The body was moved to the mortuary pending postmortem and investigations.

Cases of deaths at mining sites have been on the rise amid efforts to address the menace.

Most of the mining sites are unsafe to venture into, officials say.

Such incidents have been reported at gold mining sites in Homa Bay, Kakamega, Nandi, Vihiga and West Pokot counties.

There is an ongoing campaign to ensure safe mining amid resistance from some partners.

In Ndiru, Rangwe, Homa Bay county, a man identified as Christomo Otieno drowned in River Tende.

The 28-year-old had been missing for two days.

His body was moved to the mortuary pending postmortem.

In Elementaita, Nakuru county, a two-year-old boy died in a fire incident.

His mother told police she had left him sleeping and went to open her nearby shop when she heard screams from locals who were trying to contain a fire.

The cause of the fire was not immediately established. The body was picked up and moved to the mortuary pending postmortem and other procedures, police said.

In Awendo, Migori county, a 12-year-old boy sustained serious burns after he was electrocuted.

The boy was headed home from school when a hanging live wire hit him. He was a Grade 3 pupil at Yengu Academy.

The boy was rushed to the hospital and admitted in a stable condition, officials said amid investigations.

Poles with live power supply have been falling in the area posing dangers to the locals. This followed rains that were experienced in the region.