Rescue operations are underway in Migori County after a gold mine collapsed, trapping an undisclosed number of people inside.
Three people have since been confirmed dead from the mishap that occurred in Osiri, Nyatike Sub-County Wednesday afternoon.
The mines that have claimed some 60 lives in the past three years are a major source of income in the mineral-rich South Nyanza County.
Last year, a multi-agency team commissioned by Mining Cabinet Secretary John Munyes closed down two mining plants belonging to Migori Governor Zachary Obado.
The two were just a part of at least 40 plants that were closed down for failure to comply with safety and regulatory standards.
Former Kuria MP Dr Wilfred Machage and powerful allies of Governor Obado also had their mines shut down.
A section of Chinese investors also had their mines shut down after an investigative piece revealed the miners were exploited.
For a kilogram of gold, the tycoons mint up to Ksh2 million while the miners only take home a few hundreds of shillings.
Three people killed after mine collapses at Osiri in Nyatike, Migori County; rescue operations underway, area Chief David Oula says pic.twitter.com/HYMPx45yux
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) February 5, 2020