A sombre mood has engulfed Romos area of Morita in Kacheliba Constituency, West Pokot County, following a deadly gold mine collapse that claimed the lives of 15 artisanal miners and left six other nursing serious injuries.

The Thursday evening disaster has reignited debate over the growing dangers of illegal and unregulated mining in the region, with leaders calling for immediate reforms to safeguard miners and local communities.

The tragedy occurred when the walls of a deep mining shaft suddenly caved in, burying miners beneath tonnes of rocks and soil. Residents and fellow miners, armed with hoes, spades and their bare hands, rushed to the site in desperate attempts to rescue those trapped underground.

However, unstable terrain and the huge volume of debris hampered rescue efforts throughout the night and all day on Friday.

West Pokot County Commissioner David Saruni who visited the scene alongside County Security officials, mining officers and local leaders on Friday, confirmed that 21 miners had been trapped underground during the collapse.

“So far, 15 bodies have been retrieved, while six survivors are receiving treatment at the hospital,” Saruni said.

He described the incident as one of the worst mining disasters ever witnessed in the country, noting that the rugged and hilly terrain made rescue operations extremely difficult. Saruni conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and commended rescue teams, medical personnel, police officers and local residents for their swift response during the emergency.

“This is a painful tragedy for the people of Ramos and the entire county. We appreciate everyone who participated in the rescue mission under extremely dangerous conditions,” he said.

The county commissioner warned against unsafe and unregulated mining activities, particularly the unauthorized use of explosives in gold extraction.

“Explosives used in mining must only be handled by trained and licensed professionals. The government will take stern action against individuals engaging in illegal mining activities that endanger lives,” he cautioned.

He emphasised the need for stricter enforcement of mining regulations and the establishment of structured systems to ensure miners’ safety and equitable sharing of minerals benefits within local communities.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen who was in West Pokot on Friday for a fundraiser for Dini ya Roho Mafuta Pole Church of Africa, also mourned the victims and pledged government action to streamline mining operations in the County and across the country.

Murkomen said although mining has the potential to uplift communities economically, many operators continue to engage in illegal practices without licences, proper safety standards or community involvement.

“Mining is not a bad thing; it can empower our people and grow the economy but it must be done lawfully and safely,” Murkomen said.

He revealed that the ministry of interior is working closely with the ministry of mining to ensure mining activities are properly regulated and that local communities benefit from natural resources.

The cabinet secretary further warned against criminal elements allegedly involved in protecting illegal mining sites and announced investigations into whether unlawful blasting contributed to the collapse.

“We shall investigate those responsible for unsafe mining practices that may have caused these deaths and injuries. Action will be taken against anyone found violating the Mining Act,” he warned.

Murkomen urged residents to avoid entering mining shafts that have not been inspected and approved by the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) and the Department of Mining.

West Pokot Governor, Simon Kachapin, said the County government swiftly deployed emergency response teams immediately after receiving reports of the disaster.

Emergency responders, including the Kenya Red Cross officials, police officers, county health teams and local volunteers, worked around the clock searching for survivors and recovering bodies from debris.

Kachapin disclosed that some of the injured miners underwent emergency surgeries at Kapenguria County Referral Hospital, including amputations caused by severe crush injuries.

“If it were not for the quick response by our health teams and rescue agencies, the situation could have been much worse,” he said.

The Governor noted that gold mining has been ongoing in areas such Morita and Ramos for many years, but remains largely informal and poorly regulated.

“I have held discussions with the Ministry of Mining on the need to formalise mining operations in West Pokot because the current situation is unsafe for our people,” Kachapin stated.

He blamed illegal mining operations for exposing residents to life-threatening risks, saying the absence of proper structures and safety oversight has contributed to repeated accidents.

“Our people take risks in search of livelihoods but their safety must come first. Mining activities must be conducted within the law to prevent such tragedies from recurring,” he said.

Authorities said investigations into the cause of the collapse are ongoing even as rescue teams continue combing through the unstable site amid fears that more victims could still be trapped underground.

Gold mining activities in Romos area of Morita have significantly boosted the growth of Romos shopping centre, attracting traders, miners and investors from across the country as well as neighbouring countries including Burundi and Uganda.

Residents say the thriving mining business has transformed the once remote area into a vibrant commercial hub, drawing people from as far as Mombasa and other parts of Kenya in search of business and employment opportunities.

Locals further noted that the mining activities have helped promote peace and co-existence among communities in the area. According to the residents, before the discovery and expansion of gold mining, the region was widely known for insecurity and banditry attacks.

However, the economic opportunities created through mining have contributed to improved livelihoods, reduced crime and enhanced stability in the area.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Anthony Melly