Search and rescue teams started working again at dawn today at the Kambi Karaya gold mine. Many people are feared to be trapped after the mine collapsed on Sunday night.
As community members and emergency workers dig through the rubble, both the county and national governments have been quiet, which is making people more anxious.
The collapse happened in the West Pokot region, which is rich in minerals. Many artisanal miners are trapped, and at least one person has died—a woman whose body was found late on Sunday.
“Efforts are underway to rescue others,” said Wycliffe Munanda, the Deputy County Commissioner of West Pokot, while rescue teams worked hard throughout the night.
However, many locals are frustrated because no high-ranking government officials have come to the site.
Reports say that West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin has not visited the mine because he is worried about public anger over the government ignoring warnings about the dangers of illegal mining.
“Young leaders and residents raised alarms for months, but they were ignored,” said a community member who wished to remain anonymous. “Now lives have been lost, and the government is nowhere to help.”
The Kambi Karaya mine has been a hot spot for illegal mining activities, even though the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) tried to stop operations there due to environmental issues.
Just last week, NEMA ordered a halt to mining in Kambi Karaya and Lami Nyeusi areas along the River Turkwel, pointing out the negative effects on the environment. This collapse shows the ongoing dangers faced by miners who work outside any regulations.
As of Monday, June 16, 2025, the lack of response from both the county and national governments has made the local community feel abandoned.
“This is a county with hidden treasures, but they must be mined safely,” Governor Kachapin had said before, stressing the need for rules and safety measures.
But his absence from the crisis site has been viewed as a failure to act, especially during this serious situation.
The ongoing rescue efforts are supported by local volunteers and the Kenya Red Cross, but the challenge is still very big.
The community is determined to find survivors, but the rising tension shows a deeper frustration with how the government handles safety in the region.
This event is not the first of its kind; it follows a history of mining accidents in West Pokot, including a similar collapse in Kakamega County that led to rescue efforts there as well.
