12 gold miners have been rescued after an excavation site collapsed on Monday, February 3, 2025, in Khayega, Shinyalu Constituency, Kakamega County.
In a statement on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, the Kenya Red Cross disclosed that the 12 who were trapped in the collapsed site were rescued following the search operation by a multi-agency team, including the Kenya Red Cross and county disaster teams.
The Red Cross had earlier revealed that seven people were rescued on Monday night and are in good health.
“Update as of 09:42 am: 12 people have been rescued. A multi-agency team, including the Kenya Red Cross, @EMS_Kenya, the County Disaster Team, local community members, and the Kenya Police, is on the ground leading rescue operations.
“Update: Seven more people have been rescued and are in good health. Our teams remain on the ground, continuing search and rescue efforts,” the Kenya Red Cross stated.
The incident occurred shortly before 7 p.m. on Monday.
Mining accidents in the region are common, often blamed on poor equipment, with past cases involving miners suffocating in shafts or dying after walls collapse.
Joho on Gold mining
Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho on Thursday, January 30, 2025, condemned the rising number of illegal miners using large machinery without consulting local communities, emphasizing that their activities are detrimental to the region.
Speaking in Siaya County, the CS instructed local chiefs to increase patrols and remain vigilant, urging them to report illegal mining activities immediately so that action can be taken.
“Kazi yenu machief si kutoa vitambulisho tu. Kazi ya machief ni kuingia mashinani na kucollect information. If someone anaiba kwa uchumi wetu, it is your responsibility to act. Mtu yeyote ambaye anachukua madini kwa njia ambayo haieleweki anafaa akamatwe,” Joho said.
He further revealed that he had met with the regional police and county commanders to ensure heightened surveillance of illegal mining while supporting local artisanal miners.
Joho emphasized the need for a balance between cracking down on illegal miners and allowing artisanal miners to continue their work without hindrance.
“I have met with regional police and county commanders, and we’ve agreed to keep a close watch on the situation. Our artisanal miners must be supported, but illegal miners will not be tolerated; there is a lot of illegal mining happening in the Nyanza region,” Joho added.
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