Family in agony over kin still held in mines
By Eric Juma, January 6, 2022
A family in Bondo, Siaya County, is in agony as their kin remains trapped inside a gold mine that collapsed over a month ago.
The family of Tom Okwach, 24, has known no peace since December 2 when the Abimbo mine caved in, killing one among the eight miners who were inside.
Six miners were rescued days after but Okwach’s fate remains unresolved.
Politics of tribalism
His father Martin Shukuku said he had not managed to sleep since his son got trapped in the mine.
“Our spirits have been dampened to an extent of not holding celebrations in festive season. We appeal to the government to give us more support so as to retrieve his body,” said Shukuku.
He said they had relied on Okwach to provide for them and it was difficult to survive without him.
“As a father, it is painful for me to close my eyes and sleep when my son and breadwinner remains trapped,” he said.
Okwach’s mother, Joyce Acholla, said she was a devastated woman and could not hold back tears when she remembered her son.