Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has asked gold miners in the county to suspend their activities until the heavy rains pounding the region subsides.
Barasa said there was high risk of shafts and quarries collapsing and this could result in deaths.
“We know that gold mining is a source of livelihood for many people but let's put life first because these are high risk areas during these heavy rains,” the governor said.
Artisanal gold mining is taking place in parts of Ikolomani, Shinyalu and Lurambi constituencies in the county.
Barasa spoke when he graced this year’s World Press Freedom Day graced by Kakamega journalists at Magharibi hall on Friday.
Barasa said his administration will not allow families to be displaced by investors who are interested in mining gold in Ikolomani.
He said he was aware that gold can be mined without displacing people from their homes.
A number of investors are keen to engage in gold mining in Kakamega.
Barasa said any investor interested in gold mining must first come clear on the monetary and development benefits for locals.
He said the county disaster management team is actively assessing the situation across the county to determine necessary interventions to forestall the likely loss of life and property.
The county chief called on journalists to play a leading role in raising public awareness on environmental conservation, emphasising the importance of disseminating information that promotes responsible environmental stewardship.
“The media has a responsibility to update the general public about the situation of flooding in different parts of the country. For example Chirovani road in Shinyalu has been cut off. Imagine you are traveling and you get there and you can’t move. This is where the media comes in handy,” he said.
He said crops on farms bordering River Nzoia have been destroyed by the swollen river at Chebaywa in Lugari, Namamali ward and parts of Khwisero constituency.
Barasa said officers from agriculture department were assessing the situation to come up with interventions.
Barasa said reports of sinking toilets in Matungu had been made to the county by the disaster committee.
