Six people lost their lives while several others sustained serious injuries after a gold mine collapsed on them in Marsabit County.
The mining accident took place in the Hillo Dabel area with area chief Ibrahim Dube confirming that rescue efforts were underway to retrieve those trapped beneath the rubble.
The Monday evening incident saw several miners infiltrate Dabel despite the area being cordoned off by the government.
In what is becoming a dangerous trend in Marsabit County, the accident occurred just months after five illegal miners lost their lives Hillo Gold minefield.
An aerial view of a gold mine in Marsabit. PHOTO/ Courtesy.
The five died after the pit they were digging collapsed even as area residents lamented about the illegal mining by individuals who allegedly enjoyed protection from the state.
Gold mining in Marsabit is a popular economic activity despite the government flagging several areas as extremely high risk for several different reasons.
On March 14, the government issued a gazette notice shutting down the Dabel mines including the popular General Hillo Gold Mine after marking it as disturbed.
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki at the time ordered the closure of the mines due to rampant insecurity as factions battled for control over the mineral-rich area. The wrangles led to the death of 11 people.
There was also concern over the unprecedented degradation of land and a massive surge in illegal mining operations, leading to loss of revenue.
Officers from the Mining Police Unit were deployed at the mines as part of the no-operation directive, but illegal miners somehow still found their way to the mineral-rich land.
Months after the ban, the government has initiated discussions with all stakeholders to chart a framework for the reopening of the mines.
Marsabit Deputy Governor Solomon Gubo had previously expressed his desire to transform the Dabel region to make it safe for human habitation.
Marsabit Governor Mohammud Ali gives an address at a past event.
File