The death toll in the Kakamega mining disaster has risen to three, with eight of the twelve victims rescued alive after being trapped in a mining shaft after soil caved in on them.
Mr. Geofrey Eshikoto Alwanyi, 34, was rescued from the 60-meter shaft on Friday evening after concerted efforts of his colleagues and rescue team.
Three days after the mine in Ikolomani caved in, one person remains trapped in the tunnel. Rescue teams are still searching for the missing artisanal miner.
The county government of Kakamega has issued new guidelines on artisanal mining after Governor Fernandes Barasa called for an audit of the mining activities in the county.
He stated that the audit will aid dialogue between the county government and the Ministry of Mining regarding the licensing of artisanal mining activities in the region.
The governor directed the county’s artisanal committee, in collaboration with the disaster and multi-sectoral teams, to conduct audits on all artisanal mining activities in the sub-counties of Ikolomani and Shinyalu, where mining has remained the main economic activity among the locals.
Mr. Barasa also directed multi-sectoral enforcement and compliance operations to ensure strict adherence to county government directives.
