A gold rush in Kanyarkwat, West Pokot County, could trigger a humanitarian crisis, with an estimated 10-thousand people converging on Cheporor village within just six days, according to local authorities.
The influx followed reports of a possible gold discovery, attracting residents from neighbouring areas, other counties and even neighbouring countries.
West Pokot Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner Samuel Kiarie, who led the security committee in assessing the situation, warned that the rapidly growing population, unsafe mining practices and lack of basic facilities posed serious risks.
“A humanitarian crisis is about to take place. That is why we have come here to see and evaluate the situation so that we can make arrangements to ensure that no individual is harmed by what could happen here,” said Kiarie on Sunday.
Authorities are particularly concerned about children, with school-going pupils reportedly taking part in mining while toddlers have been brought to the site and left unattended.
There are also fears of accidents from deep and open mining pits, especially as mining continues into the night, while the approaching rainy season could flood the pits and the seasonal river where many miners are operating.
The area is also facing an emerging sanitation and public health crisis, with residents reporting a lack of toilets and clean water despite the rapid increase in population.
Kanyarkwat resident Benson Lokipuna, who started selling cereals and flour after joining the gold rush, warned that the lack of basic services could expose the population to disease outbreaks.
“There are no toilets and there is no clean water. We fear that diseases such as cholera could come up if the situation is not addressed,” he said.
Authorities have said they will engage the children’s department and other stakeholders to address child protection concerns and prevent school-going children from dropping out when schools reopen in September.
Meanwhile, the gold rush has transformed Cheporor into a busy commercial centre, with traders, food vendors and boda boda operators arriving to serve the growing population.
Residents say the discovery has provided an alternative source of income at a time when prolonged dry conditions have affected crops, water supplies and livestock.
The gold rush hit Cheporor village in the Kanyarkwat area of Kapenguria Constituency, West Pokot County, after three boys grazing livestock discovered gold-like particles on August 1, 2026.
The event quickly drew an estimated 10,000 prospectors from across Kenya and neighboring Uganda