This archive report was first published on 7 October 2019.
On October 6, 2019, hundreds of illegal miners were evicted from a disputed mine at Kasigau Ranch in Voi sub-county, Taita Taveta, following a court order.
According to the police and senior officials in the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, about 800 illegal miners had invaded the mine, sparking a confrontation with security personnel.
Armed security officers engaged the miners in running battles for several hours before they managed to flush them out.
One suspect who defied police orders to leave was arrested and would be arraigned on October 7, 2019.
Scores of the suspects were injured as they engaged with the police who burnt down their makeshift structures.
The police are investigating a senior retired security officer and senior managers of an NGO operating in the area for allegedly inciting youths to invade private property.
Principal Magistrate Dorcas Wangeci had issued an injunction to all parties concerned to stop interfering with the disputed area until a case involving it is determined.
The court ordered a gemstone dealer and 26 others, including their agents, to immediately vacate the disputed mine.
