A silent battle rages beneath the surface in pursuit of gold in Kitere Village, Rongo Sub County, Migori County.
Beyond the glimmering promise of wealth lies a stark reality, a toll of disease and hardship on the miners who toil tirelessly in search of fortune.
The miners of the Kitere area are no strangers to adversity and the moment they set foot in the mines, they are confronted with a myriad of health hazards, ranging from respiratory illnesses caused by constant exposure to dust and fumes, to debilitating musculoskeletal injuries resulting from strenuous labour.
The harsh working conditions, coupled with limited access to proper healthcare facilities, leave miners vulnerable to a host of ailments, with little recourse for relief.
The most unfortunate part is that most of the mining areas are not owned by the locals but are instead leased out to some foreigners.
The locals are forced to be nothing but miners who work under unfavourable conditions without the maximum protection required.
Joseph Omolo, a miner at one of the mining sites in Kitere say that with all the hazards associated with mining, they cannot keep off the sector because it provides their daily necessities.
In recent years, concerns have been growing over the health risks faced by people living around gold mining areas.
Research has shown that these individuals are at a higher risk of developing a range of serious illnesses due to exposure to toxic substances like mercury and cyanide, which are commonly used in the gold extraction process.
Early this month, six people from Ndemra village in Nyatike Sub County were hospitalised after consuming spring water that was contaminated with cyanide from one of the mining sites.
The spring water also resulted in the death of three cows and three goats.
This led to the closure of all the illegal mining sites and processing plants in Migori County, an exercise that was conducted by the Mining Inspection team officials led by Abel Chumba.
According to reports from the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) and the Ministry of Health, the lack of proper mining gear and equipment in gold extraction and processing can expose miners, especially artisan miners to lifestyle diseases like cancer, respiratory illnesses, and neurological disorders.
One of the most pervasive health challenges facing miners in Kitere is mercury poisoning, a consequence of the widespread use of mercury in the gold extraction process.
As miners crush and grind the ore in search of gold, mercury is often added to the mixture to separate the gold from the surrounding rock.
However, the toxic fumes released during this process can have devastating effects on the health of miners and their families, leading to neurological damage, kidney failure, and even death.
Cyanide is another hazardous chemical used in gold mining. It can cause severe respiratory problems, as well as skin and eye irritation.
Exposure to cyanide can also lead to long-term health problems, such as heart disease, neurological disorders, and cancer.
In many cases, people living around gold mining areas are not aware of the health risks they face.
The mining community lacks information about the toxic chemicals used in the mining process, and those that do, do not have the resources to protect themselves and their families from the exposure.
The owners of the mining sites dominated by Chinese firms have been accused of not taking care of their workers’ health.
John Okumu, a miner at one of the firms says that the mining department and Migori County government should work hand in hand to address some of the challenges facing the miners in the county.
The government through the Mining Department has, however, been encouraging the artisan miners to form cooperatives to acquire mining permits and empower themselves economically instead of relying on employment from the mining firms.
Migori Regional Director for Mining Joseph Boiwo says that so far the county has registered 25 artisan miners in the county who will soon receive their mining permits to legalise their operations.
According to Okumu, a lot of miners are suffering in silence from diseases like respiratory illnesses and neurological disorders but cannot stop the lucrative mining ventures.
For miners, the risks are part of daily life, a sacrifice made in pursuit of a dream that remains just out of reach.
Yet, amidst the darkness, there are glimmers of hope from grassroots initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the health risks of mining and advocating for safer working conditions.
As the sun sets over the hills of Kitere, the miners return to their homes, weary but unbowed.
Theirs is a story of resilience in the face of adversity, of courage amid uncertainty.
Though the road ahead may be fraught with challenges, they remain steadfast in their determination to carve out a brighter future for themselves and their community.
For in the heart of Kitere, amidst trials and tribulations of gold mining, the human spirit endures.
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