Police car./FILE
At least five people were confirmed dead following the collapse of the Kilima Pesa gold mine in Lolgorian, Transmara South, Narok County.
Officials said an unknown number of miners were trapped after a tunnel they had entered collapsed on Wednesday.
Rescuers were dispatched to the scene to assist in the rescue mission amid challenging conditions.
Transmara South Deputy County Commissioner Stephen Odeke said rescue operations were ongoing but progressing slowly due to a lack of specialised equipment needed to safely access the underground tunnels.
"Those on the ground have no specialised equipment to help in the rescue mission," he said.
Odeke said an unknown number of miners were still believed to be trapped beneath the collapsed mine.
He added that a specialised mining rescue team had been dispatched to Lolgorian to help accelerate the operation, noting that cameras and other sophisticated underground search equipment were needed for the mission to succeed.
Police cordoned off the area as rescue efforts continued.
The bodies of the five victims were removed and taken to the Lolgorian Sub-County Hospital mortuary pending other procedures.
This is the latest incident to hit the gold mining sector amid calls for the implementation of laws to better regulate the industry.
Kenya has several gold deposits that have attracted dozens of miners who earn their livelihoods from the activity.
The government decriminalised artisanal mining under a law governing the sector, a move that some stakeholders say has encouraged unsafe practices. Dozens of miners are killed annually in such incidents.
Other gold deposits are found in Kakamega, West Pokot, Migori, Moyale and Nandi.
