A gold mine collapse in Imachilifu Village, Shinyalu Constituency, Kakamega County, has left at least 19 miners trapped on Monday evening.
Following the incident, community members immediately launched rescue efforts, successfully pulling out 8 miners, who were then rushed to the hospital after showing signs of weakness.
Shinyalu Member of Parliament Fredrick Lusuli confirmed the collapse and expressed his concern, stating that those rescued were being treated for their injuries.
He also noted that he had reached out to Kakamega County Governor Fernandes Barasa, who assured him that additional resources would be mobilized for the ongoing rescue operation.


“Emergency teams are on the ground, and we are working together to ensure that those trapped are safely retrieved.
Please remain calm and keep the affected families in your prayers as we work to save lives,” Lusuli urged.
As rescue teams continued their efforts, the Kenya Red Cross Society confirmed that a multi-agency team, including officers from Kakamega County’s Disaster Response Team, had been deployed to the scene to assist in the operation.
Incidents of gold mine collapses have been a recurring issue in Western Kenya, with similar accidents occurring in the past.
In August 2024, four people were killed when another gold mine collapsed in Kakamega County.
Kakamega County Commissioner John Ondego addressed the risks miners face, noting that many of the victims were operating in unsafe, aged tunnels without proper licenses.
“These miners are often young people who, due to unemployment, resort to dangerous mining practices to earn a living. We are urging residents to avoid such risky activities,” Ondego said.
In response to the growing number of incidents, Ondego announced a ban on night-time mining activities in the county, warning that severe penalties would be imposed on those caught violating the new regulations.
The government continues to grapple with the safety and legality of mining activities in the region.
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