A wave of fatal mining accidents has led the government to shut down all illegal gold mining operations in West Pokot County, with authorities moving swiftly to prevent further loss of life and environmental destruction.

West Pokot County Commissioner Khalif Abdullahi issued the directive on Monday and announced the deployment of a security team to enforce the immediate closure of over 500 illegal mining sites across the region.

Speaking to journalists in Kapenguria, Abdullahi said eight people have died in mining accidents in the past three months, highlighting the dangers posed by the unregulated activities.

The most recent tragedy happened on Sunday evening at Kampi Karaywa in Central Pokot Sub-County, where a woman was buried alive while mining. Two excavators were also buried in the same incident.

He added that a week earlier, four people were killed and five others seriously injured in a similar accident in Karon village, Turkwel. Abdullahi said the increasing number of fatalities demanded urgent action, prompting a multi-agency consultation that led to the closure order.

Abdullahi disclosed that the crackdown targets over 500 illegal sites across the county, naming affected areas as Kampi Karaywa, Lami Nyeusi, Orwa, Sekerr, Ortum, Alale, Turkwel, Eut, Kopulio, Morita, Rumos (also known as County 48), Kacheliba Kiwawa, Kasei and several zones along the Turkwel River.

He made it clear that all mining operations using heavy machinery have been stopped.

However, he said artisanal mining involving hand tools like spades, basins and hoes will be allowed to continue, provided the miners obtain proper licences within three months.

“We have stopped the mining in which heavy machines are used,” said Abdullahi, stressing that even artisanal miners must now seek authorisation from the relevant authorities.

In addition to the loss of lives, the county commissioner noted that illegal mining has caused extensive environmental damage. He pointed to pollution and ecological destruction, especially along the Turkwel and Muruny rivers, as consequences of unchecked mining.

Abdullahi concluded by saying that the directive to shut the mines is a result of government-level consultations involving several agencies and was necessary to protect both the people and the environment. “The decision to close mining sites is a government directive following multi-agency consultation,” he said.