Artisanal miners in Siaya County have been urged to suspend underground mining during the anticipated El Niño rains amid fears that waterlogged soils could trigger deadly mine collapses.
County inspector of mines Tikani Morris said miners risk losing their lives if they continue working in underground pits during periods of heavy rainfall, when the ground becomes unstable.
Morris spoke during a Mazingira Day environmental event at Karapul Junior School, where he called on miners to temporarily abandon their pits until the rainy season subsides.
“Most of the deaths that occur in mining sites are as a result of mine collapses,” Morris said, warning that underground pits could cave in without warning as rain weakens the surrounding soil.
He urged miners to use the rainy season for farming and other alternative activities rather than expose themselves to hazardous working conditions.
The State Department for Mining is working with national government administrative officers to sensitise mining communities on safety precautions and the need to comply with regulations.
Morris said authorities would take legal action against miners who defy safety directives intended to protect lives during the rainy season.
He noted that sustained safety awareness campaigns had contributed to a reduction in mining-related deaths in the county, with four fatalities recorded during the 2025–2026 reporting period.
The government is also encouraging artisanal miners to form cooperatives as part of efforts to formalise the sector, improve working conditions and enable miners to obtain the necessary permits and licences.
Siaya has more than 12 registered mining cooperatives, some of which have already secured mining licences, according to Morris.
The Mazingira Day event also featured tree planting at Karapul Junior School as part of efforts to promote environmental conservation and rehabilitation in mining areas.
Siaya Township chief Romlus Okoth said environmental awareness initiatives were important to communities whose livelihoods are linked to mining activities.
Okoth noted that residents from the surrounding areas work in nearby mining centres, including South East and Central Alego, making mine safety and environmental protection concerns for the wider community.
