Sand miner killed in an accident

Homa Bay, Thursday May 25, 2023

KNA by Davis Langat

A somber mood engulfed Karateng Village in Rachuonyo East Sub-county, after a 26-year-old man was killed in a mine last evening.

The deceased identified as John Ouma Nyandiko, was allegedly killed when a huge stone fell on him inside a deep sand mine.

Eyewitnesses said Nyandiko was harvesting sand in a cave of more than six feet, when a big stone that was on the bank of the cave, rolled inside and hit him.

Nyandiko sustained serious injuries, causing his instant death.

Ramba Location Chief, Joseph Ndege, said the stone rolled into the cave, after the soil became loose due to heavy rains pounding the area.  

“The stone fell into the cave causing loss of life. It is very sad that we have lost the young man who was a bread winner for his family,” said Margaret Odera, resident.

Ndege liaised with police from Othoro Police Station, who took the body to Okita Nursing Home mortuary at Kadongo Trading.

Ndege urged residents to avoid harvesting sand in deep holes during heavy rains pounding the area, to avoid cases of land slide.

“The heavy rains in this area make soil weak. I urge residents to avoid digging deep caves, when harvesting sand in the area,” Ndege said.

Environmentalists have expressed concerns over unregulated sand harvesting in Homa Bay County.

Large tracts of farm land have been destroyed while some roads have been rendered impassable due to careless sand harvesting.

Courtesy ; K. N. A