This archive report was first published on 22 December 2019.
On Saturday evening, a devastating mine collapse in Masara, Migori County, claimed the life of a 37-year-old man and left two others injured.
The deceased, Francis Onyango, was trapped under the weight of the collapsed mine's debris, forcing villagers to dig into the mine to retrieve his body.
Two of his companions, including Erick Odhiambo, 27, who were rescued from the tragedy, are recuperating in hospital.
Area Assistant Chief Tom Ngoche has since asked area residents to halt any mining activities, citing the soil's weakness following weeks of heavy downpour.
Notably, this is not the first mining tragedy in Migori. Last year, six people died in a similar incident, and in the same year, three people perished at the Kasigau mine in Taita while four others sustained life-changing injuries.