A tragic mining accident at an abandoned goldmine in Imachilifu village, Museno area, left two miners dead and 18 others rescued after a harrowing overnight operation.
The disaster struck late Monday evening when a mining tunnel collapsed, trapping 20 miners inside and blocking both the entrance and escape routes. With oxygen levels dwindling, the trapped miners faced a slim chance of survival. However, an immediate rescue operation led by local residents of Isukha Central, working tirelessly through the night and into Tuesday, managed to save 18 miners.
According to two survivors who remained near the site after their rescue, the collapse occurred shortly after they had resumed work following a lunch break. Quick action by fellow miners in the area, who initiated the rescue effort while pumping oxygen into the caved-in tunnel, played a crucial role in saving lives.

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa visited the site on Tuesday morning, following the overnight rescue. He assured the affected families that the county government would waive hospital bills for the injured miners. He also pledged to address the long-standing safety issues surrounding local mining operations.

Shinyalu MP Fred Ikana, also present at the scene, emphasized the urgent need for stricter mining regulations. He revealed that he, alongside Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali, plans to push for a bill aimed at improving mining conditions not only in Kakamega County but across the country.

This incident adds to a growing number of mining-related tragedies in Shinyalu Constituency. Many local miners, driven by economic hardship, continue to operate in abandoned and unregulated mining sites, often without proper safety measures.