Illustration of a collapsed gold mine site cordoned off with yellow tape/AI
At least four artisanal miners died after a gold mine collapsed at the Kambi Karaya mining site in Pokot Central, West Pokot County.
According to the police, the incident was reported at about 6:01pm on October 6, 2026, after a local informed police that six miners were suspected to have been trapped underground.
The group was busy digging an underground tunnel when it caved in trapping them.
This is the latest such incident to happen in the area, officials said.
A similar incident happened there last week where five miners were killed. Their bodies were retrieved hours later.
Police responded to the latest scene as rescue efforts were underway.
Four bodies were eventually retrieved from the collapsed mine, while one miner was rescued alive and rushed to hospital in critical condition, police said.
Police said the bodies were taken to the Kapenguria mortuary pending autopsy as investigations into the incident continue.
This comes amid safety concerns at gold mining sites in the country.
Such incidents have been on the rise amid efforts to address the menace. They have happened in Migori, Narok, Nandi, Kakamega, Siaya and Marsabit Counties where there are gold deposits.
Miners venture into tunnels for the deposits to make a living.
Most miners lack protective equipment to enhance their work which exposes them to dangers.
Officials say dozens of miners have in the past year died in similar circumstances. Investigations have not helped to solve the crisis.
More powerful investors have ventured into the business making it more complicated.
Officials have been running a campaign to address the menace which is rampant in the affected areas.
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has been leading in the campaign for safe mining of the minerals in several parts of the country amid a surge in the deaths.
Police say most of the deaths are under probe while others have been solved.
A special police squad has been created to focus on the mining sector.
The team complains of interference in their work in efforts to enforce the law. This is because some of the sites are owned by politicians who operate with impunity and disregard the law.
