A 55-year-old man died after the walls of a suspected mining shaft collapsed on him in Khwisero, Kakamega County.
Julius Okello was alone inside the approximately seven-metre-deep pit when the topsoil caved in, trapping him underneath.
Members of the public retrieved Okello’s body from the shaft before police officers and detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Khwisero arrived at the scene.
Police said the body had no visible injuries and was found lying beside the open pit, which is suspected to have been used as a mining shaft.
The scene was documented by investigators before the body was moved to Sonak Mortuary, where it was preserved pending a postmortem examination.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the activities being carried out at the suspected mining site.
The accident highlights the risks associated with working in poorly secured and unsupported mining pits, particularly where excavations are carried out without adequate safety measures.
Elsewhere, an 18-year-old Ugandan hawker has died after he was allegedly struck on the head with a blunt object during a fight involving five Ugandan traders in Kakamega County.
Brian Ashuma sustained serious head injuries during the altercation on Wednesday, September 3, 2026 in Sichirai Sub-Location, Shieywe Location.
The five men, who are hawkers operating in Kakamega, were involved in a fight when Ashuma was seriously injured.
He was rushed to Eshisiru Health Centre for treatment before his condition deteriorated and he was referred to Kakamega County Teaching and Referral Hospital on the same day.
Ashuma died at about 4am on Saturday, September 5, while undergoing treatment.
Police subsequently arrested four suspects in connection with the incident.
Officers from Kakamega Police Station and detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Kakamega Central, visited the hospital mortuary following the death.
Police said Ashuma’s body had no visible external injuries when it was examined at the morgue.
The body was moved to the Kakamega County Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary, where it is being preserved pending a post-mortem examination.
The four suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue to establish the circumstances that led to the fatal assault.
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