ALEGO USONGA: Tragedy struck Uradi village in Masumbi sub-location, Alego Usonga constituency, early Monday morning when a 24-year-old artisanal gold miner died after a mining shaft collapsed.

The victim, identified as Steve Rabuogi, had been working with three colleagues inside a privately-owned shaft at around 3:00 a.m. when the structure suddenly caved in.

According to area Assistant Chief James Nyanga, the miners had entered the site without the owner’s permission.

While Rabuogi was buried alive, his companions managed to escape unhurt. They later retrieved his body before police from Kogelo Police Station arrived to secure the scene.

The remains were transferred to the Siaya County Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination.

Chief Nyanga has since cautioned miners against entering shafts at night, warning that such risky operations often end in tragedy.