The family of the last miner still trapped have called out the government for neglect in the rescue mission as the search enters day 12.
Tom Okwach, 22, was part of the eight miners who had been trapped in the mines after the walls of the shafts collapsed on December 2.
His mother, Joyce Ogunde, stated that the government is less committed to the rescue efforts compared to the initial stages. This has thus slowed the operations.
She noted that people are losing hope with the process, calling upon the government to expedite the search to retrieve their kin still trapped in the mines.
Backing her sentiments was Chairman of Siaya County gold miners Odhiambo Odari who appealed to both the National and County government to speed up the process with the same zeal they had shown when the incident first occurred.
He further urged the State to help them settle the bills accruing from services provided by an excavator they had hired as a community. He noted that the bill was becoming too hefty for the locals.
Their pleas were echoed by the mother of Collins Otieno who died at the mines. She called on the government to release the body of her son from the mortuary and have him buried even though the State has barred her until all bodies are recovered.
The mother, Florence Ongung'a, argued that the mortuary bill is accruing by day, noting that it would prevent her from according his son a decent burial.
"I do not have anything. I am not sure what bill they mortuary will present me with as well as the coffin and transport costs. I appeal to the County Government to help me," Ongung'a stated .
