Negligence blamed as mine fatalities in Siaya hit 20 in 2025
By Eric Juma, November 6, 2025Mining-related fatalities in Siaya County have risen to 20 in 2025, with the latest incident occurring in Kogelo, where an artisanal miner succumbed to suffocation.
According to Siaya County Mines Inspector Tikani Morris, this year (2025), the county has recorded 19 gold mine fatalities, with the Nyangoma incident bringing the total to 20.
It was reported that on Wednesday, Paul Ocholla died of suffocation while on a mining expedition at Nina, Nyangoma in Bondo Sub-county.
Speaking during an induction workshop for the Siaya County Environment Committee, Morris blamed the deaths on negligence and ignorance among artisanal miners.
He said the incidents have been rampant despite ongoing safety campaigns in the region.
“We have been carrying out safety campaigns among locals in vain. Some miners defy orders not to venture into the sites and go there at night,” Morris said.
Also watch: Deadly clash over sand harvesting in Siaya leaves one dead, several injured.
He added that his office has repeatedly sensitised miners to embrace self-regulation.
“As the inspector of mines in charge of Siaya County, I cannot visit all mining sites in Siaya, including Ramula, Kogelo, Ugunja, and Ramba, to remind them about self-regulation,” he said.
“The artisanal miners must embrace self-regulation; defying it is courting death. Even though I may be questioned in case of a tragedy, I will answer comfortably, but the family of the deceased will suffer the loss.”
Siaya Governor James Orengo expressed concern over the rising number of mine-related fatalities and called on the National Government to assess all mining sites in the county to ensure the safety of artisanal miners.
Orengo noted that many mining sites in Siaya pose serious risks to the lives of miners. He emphasised the need for regular safety assessments to determine whether mining areas are safe for operations.
“We shall assess if the areas are safe so that those found unsafe are shut down to protect the lives of our people,” Orengo said.
Tragedies
In August 2025, two miners were killed in separate incidents in Siaya County.
In the first incident, a 24-year-old man, Stephen Rabwogi, was killed when a gold mine collapsed in Masumbi village, Kogelo. He was among a group of miners working at the site when the accident occurred on the morning of August 11. The others managed to escape as the loose soil caved in.
In Bondo, another miner, John Opiyo, 50, was buried alive at a mining site in the Uyawi area. Police said he and a colleague had ventured into the mine when the walls collapsed, trapping Opiyo while the other miner escaped.
On October 14, 2025, two miners, Josiah Warao, 22, and Otile, 22, died at Uhonya, Wagayi in Gem Sub-county.
Earlier, in April 2025, three miners identified as Dancun Ooko, 33, Elphas Odhiambo, 21, and Allan Ochieng, 35, died after a gold mine collapsed at the Kabuto mining site in Nyaguda Sub-location, Bondo Sub-county.
According to the area Assistant Chief, Edwin Juma, the miners were attempting to expand the mine’s edges when the walls gave way and buried them alive.
Additionally, at least five female artisanal miners perished in a tragic accident at the Lumba gold mine in North Ramba, Rarieda Sub-county. One woman remains missing following the collapse, with rescue efforts continuing into the night.
Similarly, three miners died in Rera village, Gem Wagai Sub-county, after a mine shaft caved in while a group of six women were working inside.
The rising number of such tragedies has sparked growing concern over the safety of artisanal mining operations in Siaya County.