How safe are Kenya’s quarries when workers can be buried under tonnes of rock in seconds? A quarry collapse in Meru County has triggered an urgent rescue operation, raising fresh concerns about the safety of workers in the stone-mining industry.
The incident occurred , at Mutonga Quarry in Igoji, South Imenti, where falling rocks trapped several workers beneath the rubble. Meru County Special Programmes Director Lenah Kiambi confirmed the incident at around 9:20 a.m., saying a rescue team was heading to the scene.
Initial reports indicate that one worker escaped unharmed, while another was rescued by residents and rushed to hospital with serious injuries. According to a surviving worker, six colleagues were feared trapped beneath the rocks as residents joined emergency teams in clearing the debris.
The exact number of fatalities remained unconfirmed in the initial reports, while authorities were yet to establish what caused the quarry to collapse.
The incident has renewed concerns about safety in quarrying, an industry that provides livelihoods for many Kenyans but exposes workers to dangerous conditions. Rescue efforts continued as teams searched for those still believed to be trapped.
