West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin toured the site of the gold mine that collapsed on Saturday night at Karoon village of Turkwel dam, Kapenguria constituency.
During the visit, the governor, accompanied by Pokot South Member of Parliament David Pkosing and other leaders visited the site and the victims of the tragedy in hospital and donated food aid and financial support.
The Governor disclosed that the incident involved nine miners who were buried in the mine shaft, resulting in the death of four of them while five are hospitalised at the Kapenguria County Referral Hospital.
He said the incident marks a rare tragedy in the county related to gold mining.
The governor extended condolences to the families of the deceased and wished survivors a speedy recovery.
He commended rescue teams and medical staff for their prompt response and services.
Kachapin highlighted that West Pokot is a county rich in minerals, including gold, which locals currently seek as an alternative livelihood.
He warned against unregulated and unsafe mining activities, urging the miners to follow government-led guidelines and safety measures.
He emphasised the need for structured laws to regulate mineral extraction to ensure safety and benefit sharing.
The governor noted that the county has other mineral resources and features, such as the Turkwel river, which can be harnessed for irrigation and economic development.
The governor praised the peace and stability achieved between West Pokot and Turkana counties, partly due to collaborative efforts and peace initiatives.
He called for partnership between county and national governments to develop proper mining laws and possibly utilise river resources for irrigation.
Member of Parliament of Pokot South Constituency David Pkosing said claims of recent gold mining rumours are politically motivated, blaming certain leaders for spreading false information to locals for political mileage.
In his remarks West Pokot Deputy Speaker Victor Siywat supported the call for regulation and safety in mining activities.
He highlighted that recent peace witnessed in West Pokot is linked to mining activities and emphasised that mining should be properly governed to benefit investors and local communities.
The Deputy Speaker suggested that mining should be temporarily halted until proper procedures and laws are in place.
Member of County Assembly Francis Krop appreciated the rescue efforts and extended his condolences to victims of the accident.
He emphasised the need for leaders to collaborate on rescue management and pointed out the need for streamlining legal gaps, especially the distinction between land ownership by the county government and mineral ownership by the national government.
He advocated for laws that align at the county and national government levels to prevent exploitation and conflicts.
“There is a need for structured laws, better safety measures, community benefit sharing, and continued collaboration between local and national government to harness the county’s natural resources responsibly,” MCA Krop stressed.
He warned against politicising the tragedy and stressed the importance of using such incidents to improve policies and resources for benefit sharing.
He said the incident has brought to light the importance of regulating mineral mining activities in west Pokot to ensure safety, sustainable development and peace.
By Anthony Melly
