Miner shot dead by police during mining site eviction clashes in Kenya

At least one person was shot dead by police on Saturday evening in Lolgorian, Transmara South in Narok County, after clashes broke out during an operation to evict miners from the Kilima Pesa mining site.

The confrontation occurred days after the Kenyan government ordered the indefinite closure of the site following a deadly tunnel collapse that killed five people.

Area police commander Enrico Telewa confirmed that officers arrested four miners, who were detained at Lolgorian Police Station. Hundreds of residents later stormed the station in an attempt to free them, pelting police with stones and damaging property. An unknown number of people were injured in the clashes.

Residents have alleged that powerful individuals are trying to privatise the community-owned mining site, though this claim has not been independently verified.

The incident is part of a wider government crackdown on illegal mining activities after the Kilimapesa gold mine collapse left five dead and others trapped underground. Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho has directed an intensified nationwide enforcement of the Mining Act, warning that violators will face legal action. Authorities have also been ordered to investigate the cause of the collapse and hold accountable anyone found responsible for negligence or illegal operations.