The matter came to light on Wednesday after relatives, including wives of the missing men stormed offices of District Commissioner, seeking help on how to find the bodies, insisting that they have reasons to believe their loved ones are dead.
The relatives led by Kenyamanyori ward councillor Farida Nchagwa named the missing persons as Charles Mashiku, Nyagwisi Charles, MnankaWerema, MahiriTereni, MatikoMerenga, Isaka Kambarage and another male person. They were all artisanal miners.
The relatives said the miners had sneaked into the pits on December 5 to scavenge for gold ore and had not returned.
“They told us that they were travelling. But one of their friends has told us that they secretly entered pits ooperted by North Mara Gold” and mist have died there, said Diana Ghati, one of the relatives.
DC Mtemi Msafiri was not in his office but District Administrative Secretary John Marwa was available and told this paper that the government was aware of the fears on the miners’ deaths.
“Reports of seven people having died underground in the pits of North Mara Gold Mine are under investigation. I appeal to relatives and friends of the missing individuals as well as the general public to remain calm and wait for the findings of the probe team,” he urged.
Councillor Nchagwa said reports from friends of the missing individuals point to the possibility of them having entered the pits without authorisation and possibly died there...read more on https://epaper.ippmedia.com
