The body of a gold miner who was buried alive at the Abimbo mines in Bondo, Siaya County seven months ago has finally been retrieved.
Tom Okwach was trapped after the mine collapsed on December 2nd, 2021, killing one gold digger while seven others were rescued alive days later.
The nine gold diggers were buried nearly 20 feet from the entrance of the mining chambers, and after days of searching, Okwach’s body was not found.
His uncle Fredrick Ogunde confirmed to the media that the 25-year-old’s remains were retrieved on Sunday morning following spirited efforts by 15 artisanal miners.
“Even though we have not found him alive, it is a relief to the family because we can now plan to give him a decent burial. We thank God as a family we can now bury our kin,” said Ogunde.
Okwach’s family had refused to bury a banana stem in accordance with the Luo culture in the hopes that they would retrieve his remains for a decent send-off.
“We can’t bury a banana stump and even me as the sister can’t accept because if we buried the banana stump today and tomorrow he is found, would we conduct another burial?” Okwatch’s sister said earlier.
Sad
Sad
Please change heading title…
Please change heading title to gold miner or simply miner.
Gold digger has a completely negative connotation. Somebody who likes you for your money or wealth.
Mostly women.
Seven months down the line,…
Seven months down the line, this someone from the region is vigorously running his presidential campaigns forgetting to help his own neighbors! I understand that we don’t expect Raila to be bailing out everyone or everything but this one is different. It was a tormenting effort within his own neighborhood but he ignored it. He possibly will attend the funeral!