Four Dead, Several Injured After Gold Mine Collapse in West Pokot

Four people have been confirmed dead and at least five others injured after a gold mine collapsed in the early hours of Saturday morning in Turkwel, West Pokot County.

West Pokot County Commissioner Khalif Abdullahi confirmed the 3:00 a.m. incident, stating that the mine caved in while the miners were working inside. The deceased—three men and one woman—were taken to Kapenguria County Referral Hospital mortuary, while the injured are receiving treatment at the same facility. Rescue operations are ongoing.

According to reports, the miners had returned to the site using picks and hoes at night, unaware the soil had loosened due to earlier excavation work by machines. Abdullahi blamed rampant illegal mining and condemned local leaders for inciting the public against police involved in the rescue effort.

“Leaders must respect the law and educate the public on safe mining practices,” said Abdullahi.

West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin expressed his condolences, calling for urgent enforcement of mining safety regulations.

“This tragedy is a wake-up call. We must protect our people,” he said.

The collapse mirrors a similar recent incident in Nyaguda, Bondo (Siaya County), where three miners died in April after an abandoned mine shaft collapsed.

Authorities continue to warn against illegal artisanal mining, which has become increasingly common despite repeated alerts from both local and national governments.