Written By Lisa Murimi
On Friday, two people, including a police officer, died after a large group of over 3,000 individuals forcefully entered the Hillo Walikiti gold mining site in Marsabit.Â
According to a police report, the residents began pelting stones and other objects at the security officers manning the gold mine.
As the situation worsened, officers intervened and expelled the rowdy group. However, within an hour, the group returned armed with crude weapons and guns.
They began shooting and throwing stones at the officers, who attempted to drive them away but were overwhelmed.
“The officers responded with fire but they were overpowered as they were attacked from all directions, including their camps,” read part of the police report.
In the chaos, two people, including an officer, were shot dead, and several other security officers sustained critical injuries.
The attackers also stole two G3 rifles loaded with 20 rounds of live ammunition from the deceased officer.
The scene was visited by SCPC Moyale and DCI officers from Moyale, who processed and documented it.
The bodies were moved to Moyale Sub-County Mortuary awaiting postmortem, with further reports to follow.
This comes just a week after five people reportedly died when the mining site caved in during an attempt to retrieve gold deposits.
The Hillo gold mine had been closed by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki in March after several fatalities from a previous collapse.
