Three people have been confirmed dead after the harrowing ordeal in Shinyalu, Kakamega County, where tens of miners were trapped in a collapsed gold mine.
The new development was confirmed by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who revealed on Tuesday afternoon that among the deceased was his nephew.
According to the Senator, 22 men were caught under the rubble after the collapse, with three of the victims losing their lives.
"I am currently at Machilisi village in Shinyalu Constituency, where a goldmine collapsed last night trapping 22 men. So far, 19 rescued 3 feared dead, including Sasita Chui, my nephew," Khalwale said in a statement.
On Monday evening, the Kenya Red Cross released a statement confirming the mine collapse, with initial reports suggesting that 12 men were trapped inside the cave.
Seven of the trapped miners were swiftly rescued and escaped with minor injuries following the incident, which occurred at 7 p.m.
Khalwale further claimed that one of the reasons such tragedies were prevalent was the rampant fraud among gold cartels in the county, who were keen on bypassing mining laws to access the precious mineral illegally.
The senator challenged Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Hassan Joho, to visit Kakamega and get to the bottom of the illegal mining activities in the county.
"Joho, you have been telling us that you're concerned about this. We are not creating any pressure," he said.
"All we're saying is that the KSh 1 billion coming from gold in Kakamega should be accounted for and remain within the community and the hustlers."
The Senator's statement came just after Joho issued a stern warning to illegal miners during a visit to Siaya County.
The CS stated that mining investors must allocate 1% of their gross revenue to the community as he urged the local communities in gold-rich regions to form a committee and negotiate an agreement with residents.
In a separate statement, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi urged miners across the country to prioritize safety and exercise caution in their operations.
“To all miners, I urge you to prioritize safety and exercise utmost caution in your operations. Your lives are invaluable, and no measure is too great when it comes to ensuring your well-being,” he said on Tuesday.
