Tragedy has struck gold mining communities in Siaya and Homa Bay counties after three miners were killed in two separate incidents following mine collapses.
Police said the incidents occurred on November 8, 2025, leaving four other miners injured.
Rescue teams and police officers who responded to the scenes confirmed that the collapses happened as miners were working underground.
According to reports, the first incident took place in Akala, Gem-Waga’s Rera area of Siaya County, where two men were trapped and killed when a mining tunnel caved in.
Witnesses said a group of miners was working inside the pit when the structure suddenly gave way, burying some of them.
Two survivors were rescued and rushed to hospital for treatment.
The deceased were identified as Jack Omondi and Dickson Oduor.
Their bodies were taken to a local mortuary pending post-mortem examinations and police investigations.
In a separate incident in Ruga area, Oyugis, Homa Bay County, another miner died after a mine collapsed.
The victim, identified as Dennis Ochieng, 45, was working with colleagues when the site caved in, trapping him inside.
His body was recovered several hours later after a search and rescue mission led by police and local residents.
It was later taken to the mortuary for autopsy and further examination.
Police have since launched investigations into both incidents to establish the cause of the collapses and whether the mining sites complied with safety standards.
The Mining Police Unit has also stepped up operations in the region to enforce compliance and curb illegal mining activities.
Officials said many small-scale mining sites operate without proper authorization or adherence to safety protocols.
The unit disclosed that several mining operations in western Kenya are run informally, with some allegedly managed by foreign operators using unapproved methods.
Police cited a recent case in which seven Chinese nationals were arrested in Suna, Migori County, for allegedly running an unlicensed gold mining site.
The suspects were later transferred to Nairobi for further processing as authorities pursued deportation procedures.
The Mining Police Unit, established to ensure compliance and promote safe mining practices, has been inspecting sites across Kakamega, Migori, Siaya, Homa Bay, West Pokot, Marsabit, and Isiolo counties.
Officials say the ongoing crackdown is aimed at protecting miners from unsafe working conditions and ensuring the sector operates within the law.
Despite repeated warnings, unsafe gold mining remains a common source of livelihood for many locals, particularly in western Kenya.
Most artisanal miners lack protective gear and operate in poorly reinforced tunnels, exposing them to frequent cave-ins and fatalities.
Authorities have urged miners and site
owners to prioritize safety and adhere to regulations to avert further
tragedies.
