Landslide occurs at Hillo mine in Kenya

A landlside has occurred at the Hillo mine in Dabel, Marsabit County in Kenya. Officials attributed the incident and confirmed at least five people were killed from the accident.

This tragic event occurred at the same site that Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki had closed in March following deadly clashes over mining rights, which had resulted in seven deaths. In March, Kindiki had visited the area, ordering the closure of gold mining sites in Marsabit due to escalating violence and other criminal activities.

He declared the Dabel Artisanal Mining Sites dangerous and disturbed, issuing vacation orders for 30 days and prohibiting any presence in the area without written authority from the County Police Commander. The closure was meant to curb armed criminal activities and rivalries among illegal miners, which had resulted in further violence and deaths, including those of two foreign nationals.

Hillo mine

The Hillo mining field, like many others in the region, is crucial for local livelihoods, but it poses significant safety risks. Officials have criticized miners for using heavy machinery that destabilizes the tunnels, making them prone to collapses. The government has repeatedly directed miners to halt operations until environmental impact assessments are conducted by the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) to ensure safety guidelines are followed. Despite these orders, miners often continue their activities, particularly during rainy seasons, citing economic necessity.

Efforts to regulate and ensure safe mining practices include requiring miners to obtain proper licenses and forbidding the use of heavy machinery that compromises the structural integrity of mining sites. However, enforcement remains a challenge, as miners frequently defy bans due to the lack of alternative livelihoods in the region.