Kakamega County Government has ordered the immediate closure of the Shiveye gold mine after three people lost their lives when it collapsed.
Addressing residents of the area while inspecting the site, Kakamega Deputy Governor, Ayub Savula, said that the Ministry of Mining, in collaboration with the county government, will deploy experts to conduct a safety audit and determine whether the operations will resume.
While calling for patience from the residents, Savula said that the closure was fundamental to safeguard safety, warning that allowing the operation to continue could lead to more disasters.
Savula further assured that the county government will also provide the necessary resources for burial preparation for all those who lost their lives during the accident.
"No one should come back here; this mine is closed, and I will coordinate with the mining ministry, geologist, and geologists so that they may come here and assess, because if these operations continue, we will lose more people here," Savula said.
He added, "I would like to urge people from this area to be patient until those experts come and determine the topography of the soil; those who lost their lives here, we will ensure that we provide the necessary help for them to be buried."
This comes three days after three people were shot dead and others were injured when Kakamega residents, in Isulu Ikolomani constituency, protested against Shanta Gold Company's plans to take over their land for gold mining.
Reports indicate that Shanta Gold Company had proposed the relocation of over 800 households after the discovery of gold deposits within the area.
One month ago, the company discovered Ksh 683 billion worth of gold deposits Isulu and Bushiangala area, with the company getting the government's nod on the project.
The company announced that it plans to invest between Ksh 22 billion and Ksh 27 billion ($170 million to $208 million) to develop the underground mine and a processing plant.
Officials from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and Shanta Gold Company investors had visited the area to hold a public participation forum about the relocation plans, which led to the protests.
During the protests, the residents blocked roads within Ikolomani town with rocks and set a bonfire, disrupting businesses within the area, to block the officials from accessing Emusali Primary School for the public participation forum.
