Two people have been confirmed dead and others injured following a deadly shootout between police officers and gold miners at the Walikiti gold mining site in Dabel, Moyale Marsabit County. Marsabit County Commissioner James Kamau confirmed the incident, stating that the two who died were a police officer and a middle-aged man.
A group of about 3,000 people breached security and forcibly gained entry into the site, overpowering the police. An altercation ensued, and people started pelting the officers with stones before they were repulsed.
In a second attempt, the locals regrouped armed with crude weapons and attacked the police officers before invading the site again. The attackers also stole two G3 rifles with 40 rounds of live ammunition belonging to the deceased officer and his seriously injured colleague.
The incident brings the total number of casualties at the Dabel Gold site to 23. In March this year, then Interior Cabinet secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki ordered the closure of the Dabel Artisanal Mining sites citing security concerns.
The government is currently working on a plan to register locals in different co-operative societies for proper management of the site and smooth operation.
