West Pokot gold mine collapse leaves 15 feared dead, rescue efforts ongoing
via Tuko2 min read
A gold mine collapse in the Ramos area of Kacheliba Constituency, West Pokot, has reportedly resulted in 15 fatalities. Rescue teams, including the Kenya Red Cross, police officers, and local residents, are actively searching for survivors and recovering bodies. The incident occurred on the evening of Thursday, May 7, while dozens of artisanal miners were working underground. Several survivors have been pulled from the debris and transported to hospitals in critical condition. The Kenya Red Cross reported ongoing operations at Rumos Hills, noting that sounds are still being heard from the collapsed site, suggesting more people may be trapped. They confirmed 11 casualties, including three critically injured individuals referred to Kapenguria Referral Hospital. Residents estimate that over 60 miners might have been inside the site at the time of the collapse. Authorities have suspended all mining activities in the area to facilitate safe recovery operations and prevent further danger.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Tuko.
Nyakach MP Joshua Aduma Owuor has revealed he personally hired an excavator to demolish part of the Coptic Roundabout on the Kisumu-Kakamega Highway in Mamboleo, Kisumu, in mid-August 2025. The incident, which occurred overnight, left residents puzzled at the time. Aduma stated that his decision stemmed from repeated, unaddressed warnings to authorities about the roundabout's poor design, which he claims led to numerous fatal accidents. He regularly used the road for 15 years and witnessed its dangers. The turning point for the lawmaker was a devastating accident on August 8, 2025, involving a high school bus, which resulted in 26 deaths, including several of his relatives. Aduma expressed frustration that his concerns were ignored by the Roads Cabinet Secretary. He stated he took the drastic action, risking legal trouble and a potential fine exceeding KSh 20 million, because he "would rather go to jail than continue watching my people die unnecessarily." Aduma claims no accidents have been recorded at the spot since the demolition. He also dismissed long-standing claims linking the late Father John Pesa, whose church was opposite the roundabout, to the accidents, attributing them instead to the road's design.
The Kenya Maritime Authority KMA has issued an update regarding the M.V. DAN, a vessel grounded off Nyali beach in Mombasa since May 17. Following inspections, KMA confirmed the vessel's hull is intact with no structural failure or leakage, indicating a minimal risk of pollution. Precautionary measures remain in place, with continuous monitoring by agencies including the Kenya Coast Guard Service, Kenya Navy, and Kenya Ports Authority. The Kenya Coast Guard Service is maintaining round-the-clock surveillance for crew safety and environmental protection. The vessel's owners, SLA Maritime Co. S.A, are cooperating and preparing for refloating operations. The refloating is scheduled for July 13, 2026, to coincide with a favorable spring tide period. The M.V. DAN ran aground on a coral reef in Mombasa Marine Park while en route from Tanga, Tanzania, raising concerns among environmentalists and local communities about potential environmental damage.
Must ReadVeteran Kenyan lawyer and politician Martha Karua was denied entry into Uganda and deported back to Kenya. She had traveled to Kampala as part of a legal team for detained opposition politician Kizza Besigye and Hajj Obeid Lutale, and to support the defense of former Kampala lord mayor Erias Lukwago. Karua stated that Ugandan authorities detained her upon arrival, confiscated her phones, and issued her with a persona non grata notice. Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Chief Justice David Maraga condemned the deportation. Kalonzo described the actions as deeply troubling and a violation of East African Community principles, including free movement and democratic engagement. Maraga argued that the move contradicted the spirit of the East African Community Treaty, emphasizing Karua's right to access her clients. This incident follows a similar deportation of Karua from Tanzania in May, where she was denied entry while attempting to observe court proceedings involving opposition leader Tundu Lissu.