WEST POKOT, KENYA – June 17, 2025 – A gold mine collapse in the Kambi Karaya area of West Pokot County on Sunday, June 15, has tragically claimed one life and left several artisanal miners feared trapped underground, sparking renewed concerns over mining safety in the region. In response, the government has ordered the immediate closure of over 500 gold mining sites across the county.
Police reports confirm the recovery of one deceased female miner from the Kambi Karaya site, with rescue operations actively ongoing to locate and retrieve others believed to be buried alive. The incident was reported to Marich Police Station at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Rescue teams, including personnel from the National Police Service (NPS), Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), and the Kenya Red Cross, are on the scene, coordinating search and recovery efforts.
West Pokot County Commissioner Khalif Abdulahi announced the decisive action to close mining sites during a press briefing on Monday, June 16. The closure affects major mining areas such as Kambi Karaya, Turkwel, Sekerr, Morita, and Romos, spread across Pokot Central, Kipkomo, Kacheliba, and Kapenguria sub-counties.
Commissioner Abdulahi stated that the decision was made after urgent consultations with security agencies and officials from the State Department of Mining. He raised alarm over the proliferation of illegal mining activities in the county, emphasizing that many commercial operations lacked valid licenses from the relevant ministry.
This latest tragedy follows closely on the heels of another fatal incident just 10 days prior. On June 7, four miners lost their lives and five others were injured when a gold pit collapsed in Karon village, Turkwel area, during the early hours of the morning.
The recurrent incidents have amplified calls for stricter regulation and improved safety measures to protect the lives of miners in the region. Abdulahi further highlighted the severe environmental degradation caused by unchecked mining, noting that rivers like Turkwel are now unsuitable for domestic use due to pollution.
To address these systemic issues, the County Commissioner confirmed that a dedicated mining office has been established in West Pokot. Its mandate is to oversee artisanal mining activities, promote compliance with safety regulations, and ensure that both miners and investors adhere to set standards within a three-month grace period. Abdulahi also linked the unregulated mining boom to a worrying rise in child labor, early marriages, and school dropouts in the area.
