The search for an artisanal miner at Lumba Village Gold Mine in Rarieda Sub-County has now stretched into its eighth day without success.

This ongoing operation has not only halted mining activities but has also cast a pall over Lumba Village.

It has also exposed the ill-preparedness by the county and national government in managing disasters.

Approaching the mining site, where an excavator diligently digs through soil in hopes of finding the missing miner, one can’t miss the somber scene nearby.

Family members of Kennedy Ouma, aged 19, sit solemnly beside the site with a table and collection book, their presence intended to support and facilitate the search efforts.

Similar to the tragic search for Tom Okwach in Abimbo Mines, the likelihood of recovering Ouma’s body diminishes with each passing day.

Samuel Olielo, a member of the search committee hailing from neighboring Oboch ‘B’ Village, acknowledges the challenges faced during the search, exacerbated by frequent rains.

“The search continues into its eighth day without success,” Olielo shares during a phone interview. “Nevertheless, we maintain hope that we will eventually locate the body and provide closure for the family.”

Currently, efforts have reached a critical point as the search team encounters a deeper section of the shaft submerged in water. Olielo mentions ongoing efforts to pump out water to facilitate further excavation.

Despite the community’s tireless efforts, Olielo expresses disappointment in the lack of support from local leadership. “We have not received significant assistance since the tragedy occurred,” he laments. “The disaster management team made a brief visit for documentation, but elected leaders have yet to offer the support we desperately need.”