[Collins Oduor, Standard]Hundreds of unemployed youth and women in parts of Bondo sub-County, Siaya County, have taken up illegal gold mining to survive harsh economic times. But this new venture is leaving a trail of destruction and deaths that have alarmed land and property owners as well as environmental authorities. According to police records, at least 10 people have been killed since the beginning of the year while working in the county’s gold mines. Support livelihoods“We need safer mining methods because this sub-sector supports many livelihoods and cannot be ignored,” said Odhiambo Odari, chairman of Wagusu Gold Miners. According to the County National Environment Management Authority Director William Odeyo, the negative effects of gold mining on the ecosystem in Bondo are alarming.

Source: Standard Digital December 23, 2021 16:57 UTC