New details have emerged regarding the remaining trapped miner at a gold mine in Abimbo, Siaya County.
According to colleagues of Tom Okwach, the father of two last spoke to them on Thursday, December 9, giving them a signal that he was alive at the time.
The colleagues, who appeared lethargic because of spending sleepless nights trying to evacuate Okwach, noted that there has been no communication from him after Thursday.
Those aiding in rescuing him noted that the search and rescue mission had been halted after the walls collapsed.
They pointed out that the place where Okwach is situated was flooded by water before the mine caved in ten days ago. This has made the soil too weak for any vibrations and movement.
"When we tried to aid in lifting him out of the mine, the walls collapsed, hence leading us to begin the whole operation again."
"When we began this operation, the county government was willing to assist- the case is no more," one miner stated.
Further, the miners decried the lack of support from the county government. They urged the government to provide food to the rescue teams. They also pleaded the government to help in evacuating Okwach.
This comes as another three miners were rescued on Wednesday morning, December 8. The gold miners were pulled out of the ground at 2 am and rushed to the Bondo Sub-County Hospital for treatment.
Rescuers also retrieved one body from the mines in Abimbo Village, Bondo Sub-County, pushing the death toll to three.
Deputy County Commissioner Richard Karani had assured residents and families that the emergency service providers and police would work hard to rescue the remaining miner.
"We have two ambulances on the ground. We donated an excavator, fire engine, oxygen supply, fuel and snacks to ensure the rescue teams remain at the site and carry on with the job to save the lives," Okumbe stated.
