The Kakamega County Government has halted all mining activities within its jurisdiction owing to the heavy rains.
Governor Fernandes Barasa (pictured) said yesterday that his enforcement personnel in conjunction with National Government Administration Officers and police were making constant raids at the mining sites to ensure the directive is adhered to.
He said the move was meant to protect lives of the miners as soils had become too weak and could collapse.
“Whereas we understand that this industry is the lifeline of thousands of our people we cannot compromise on their safety,” he added.
Addressing the press in his office in Kakamega town, Barasa pointed out that the mines would only be reopened after rains subside.
There were, however, claims that some artisanal miners still sneaked into the pits at night. “If we discover that any mine pit owner is contravening this directive then we shall be forced to deregister him or her and close the business altogether,” he warned.
On the other hand, Ikolomani MP Benard Shinali said the order should be enforced without bias or prejudice.
He said the sector was a lifeline to thousands of his constituents and that they were coming up with a legislation to protect mainly the miners and owners of land on which the gold was extracted.
