Artisanal miners in Western Kenya crush ore by hand in search of gold—a labor-intensive process passed down through generations Photo/TAR
By Daisy Okiring
In the dim light of dawn, 14-year-old Brian lugs a sack of crushed rocks toward a rusting basin in Migori County. His hands, coated in a fine yellow dust, are about to meet the silvery shimmer of mercury. He doesn’t wear gloves — he never has. This is gold mining in Western Kenya, where dreams are dug from the earth, and death sometimes comes in drops.
Kenya’s gold rush is centuries old, but in recent decades, artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) has grown into a crucial economic activity — especially in Migori, Kakamega, Vihiga, Narok, and Siaya counties. According to the Kenya Chamber of Mines, these regions hold some of the country’s richest gold deposits.
However, the extraction process is far from glamorous. Over 250,000 Kenyans, many of them women and youth, rely on ASGM for their livelihood. The trade supports families — but at a cost many miners do not fully understand.
Mercury: The silent killer
To separate gold from ore, miners often use mercury, a chemical so toxic that even minimal exposure can cause irreversible harm. Mercury binds with gold to form an amalgam, which is then burned off — releasing vapor that can damage the brain, kidneys, and lungs.
A 2018 study by Thomson Reuters Foundation found that over 40% of Migori’s population had been exposed to dangerously high mercury levels. Symptoms ranged from memory loss and tremors to chronic fatigue and kidney failure.
“Mercury poisoning is a slow-motion health disaster,” says Dr Grace Wekesa, an environmental toxicologist based in Kisumu. “But because the effects are not immediate, the danger is often underestimated.”
Who’s to blame — gold or mercury?
This question formed the title of a 2023 report by the Kenya Chamber of Mines, asking: “Do we blame gold or mercury?” The answer, it seems, lies in access and alternatives. Many miners are aware of mercury’s risks — but with no affordable or accessible alternatives, they feel trapped.
The PlanetGOLD Kenya Project, funded by the UNEP and GEF, aims to change that. Since 2021, they’ve helped form 18 mining cooperatives (SACCOs), trained miners on safer techniques, and launched a national campaign called #SayNoToMercury.
“Women, especially, are vulnerable,” says Janet Atieno, a coordinator with PlanetGOLD. “They process gold with their bare hands and inhale mercury fumes while cooking in the same room. It’s heartbreaking.”
The policy puzzle
Kenya signed the Minamata Convention on Mercury in 2013, committing to reducing mercury emissions. But a decade later, enforcement remains weak. The Mining Act of 2016 has been updated, but implementation lags behind.
A proposed Gold Processing Bill, now under public review, may help regulate the use of mercury and promote cleaner technologies. Yet, stakeholders warn that without adequate funding, local government involvement, and public awareness, progress will be slow.
“We need to go beyond paper policies,” says David Ochieng, a mining officer in Kakamega. “Unless we equip miners with both knowledge and tools, mercury will remain the default.”
Gold and the economy
Despite the hazards, gold remains a pillar of Kenya’s informal economy. ASGM accounts for over 60% of the country’s gold production. In 2022, Kenya exported gold worth over KSh 22 billion, most of it mined by artisanal groups. Yet, miners earn only a fraction of this value.
Lack of regulation, informal trade routes, and predatory middlemen mean that while gold enriches some, many miners remain in poverty. “It’s the classic paradox of resource wealth,” says economist Lydia Kirui. “The people closest to the gold are often the poorest.”
Solutions in sight?
Innovations are emerging. Alternatives like borax, thiosulfate, and activated carbon offer mercury-free extraction methods. Gravity concentration and magnetic separation are also gaining traction in pilot sites.
PlanetGOLD and the Ministry of Mining are training miners to adopt these safer technologies, providing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and working with SACCOs to access funding.
However, scaling these solutions requires more: policy clarity, sustained donor support, and grassroots education.
A future beyond mercury
Back in Migori, Brian’s mother watches as he prepares another load of ore. She knows about mercury. “We’ve heard it can make people sick,” she says, “but what else can we do? This gold feeds us.”
Her words echo the core tension of Kenya’s gold economy — survival today versus safety tomorrow.
Until systemic changes reach the ground, miners like Brian will continue to risk everything for a shimmer of hope.
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