Orengo Calls for Dialogue on Mining Regulations Following Death of 3 at Rera Goldmine

Governor Orengo addresses residents of Rera village in Gem Constituency on Monday 24, February, 2025. Photos | Erick Omwombo

Orengo noted that a majority of the mining sites in Siaya County pose grave risks to the lives of artisanal miners.

The Governor was speaking in Rera area of Gem where three miners died yesterday following caving-in of a mine. The governor emphasized it was high time mining sites were regularly assessed to determine if they pose a threat to miners’ security.

“We shall assess if the areas are safe so that the ones certified unsafe are shut down to protect the lives of our people.”

Orengo also said that his administration will have expansive discussions with the national government on strategies that will see revenues realised from the mining sector ploughed back to facilitate development programs in mining sites and the vicinity.

Artisanal mining is free-range mining and accounts for allegedly four deaths in Siaya every month. Photo | SMG

“Its so unfortunate that mining activities that thrive in parts of Siaya have not benefitted the artisanal miners. They continue to grow poorer and that must now come to an end. The proceeds or revenues realised from the activity should also initiate projects within the counties where the exercise takes place,” said Governor Orengo.

Mining falls under the domain of national government which takes the lead in determining where taxed monies go. In Siaya, the County Government does not collect any revenue from mining activities which are performed at numerous locales daily.

“Mining is principally within the jurisdiction of the national government but we think that intense discussions should now take place on how to run mining in the whole republic,” said the county boss.

Orengo further said his admininistration will initiate talks with the Ministry involved to ensure Siaya County also gets her fare share from mining activities.

The governor at the same time promised to defray part of the burial expenses of the mining accident victims.

Present during the impromptu emergency response led by the Governor were County Executive Member incharge of Lands, Maurice Orege, Water CECM Prof Jacqueline Oduol among other senior officials.

Three artisanal miners were buried alive on Sunday when a mining shaft caved in at Rera village in Gem Constituency.

The three artisanal miners Stephen Odhiambo (24), Musa (30) and Ja-Migori (45) were in their normal mining activities at around 4.00 am Sunday morning when the mining shaft collapsed and covered them deep in the bowels of the earth.

According to the chairman of Rera Mining Site, Kennedy Ogola their mines are usually very secure and all safety precautions were taken, and, therefore the incident, he said , was an unforseen and unavoidable accident.

George Ogada who lost his son Stephen Odhiambo and Richard Omondi Ombima who lost his brother in-law Musa said that they got calls from Rera mining site that their kin had been trapped in the gold mine and quickly rushed to the scene.

They decried the sad state of youth unemployment that leads youngsters to risk their lives in such ventures. They called on the government to improve working conditions on mining sites across the country.

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