This archive report was first published on 7 August 2019.
Gold mining in Migori County has a hidden toll on the health of women involved in the trade. Despite the risks, hundreds of women continue to engage in gold mining, exposing themselves to debilitating health risks.
Mary Adhiambo, a 36-year-old mother of six, is one such woman. Her frail frame and watery eyes are a testament to her poor health. She has been admitted to Kisii Hospital twice this year due to mercury poisoning, which has left her with constant shivers and other health complications.
Adhiambo's story is not unique. Many women in Nyatike Sub-county, Migori County, are engaged in gold mining and are continually exposed to debilitating health risks. Nyalal Atieno, another artisanal miner, remains sickly to date, suffering from regular bouts of bloody diarrhoea, unexplained joint pains, and general weakness.
The effects of mercury poisoning are dire, with some women bearing children impaired by heavy metal. Stillbirths are also common in the area. A recent study by IPEN found that 71 per cent of women from three gold mining sites in Kenya had elevated mercury levels, with 44 per cent exceeding the 1 ppm threshold.
The study also found that some children are born healthy but are later affected by prolonged exposure to mercury fumes. The health complications witnessed in Nyatike support the findings of the IPEN report, which highlighted the serious and substantial threats posed by mercury use among pregnant women.
Adhiambo's words echo the sentiments of many women in the area: 'The doctors told me it is the mercury that is affecting me. I want to stop doing this business, but not until I get an alternative. I will keep doing it because I have children to take care of.'
