Governor Oparanya suspends mining activities in Kakamega County – KBC

Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has suspended mining activities in the County until the rains subsides.

Oparanya called for collaboration between the police and the County law enforcement officers to ensure that the directive is adhered to.

The directive coming after five villagers were buried alive during a gold mining expedition at Bushiangala area in Ikolomani Sub County after.

The remains of the five were retrieved from the tunnel by rescue workers with witnesses saying it caved in while they were extracting the precious gem.

Five other miners who were pulled out of the rubble alive were rushed to hospital some in critical conditions.

Ikolomani Sub County Police Commander (SCPC) Joseph Chesire said other miners escaped unhurt during the incident.

He said the casualties were rushed to the nearby Shibwe hospital for treatment while the bodies of those who succumbed were ferried to Kakamega County Referral Hospital morgue.

Chesire said the tunnel is likely to have collapsed due to the heavy rainfall witnessed over the past few days and urged residents to suspend such activities saying it is risky during this season.