The body of Tom Okwatch, a miner who was trapped in Abimbo mining site last December, has been recovered after seven months of searching.
Body of trapped Siaya miner Tom Okwatch retrieved after 7 months
The family had refused to bury a banana stump with hopes of finding the body of their son
Tom Okwach, a minor in Bondo is still trapped in rubble, 22 days after collapse
Recommended articles
Okwatch was among eight miners who were covered by debris about 20 feet from the entrance of the shaft they were mining after it caved in on December 8. Six of the miners were rescued alive while Okwatch and another did not make it.
It is believed the young man was alive for several days as rescuers tried to locate him.
His family had refused to bury a banana stump in accordance with the Luo culture in the hopes that they would retrieve their kin's remains for a befitting send-off.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We can’t bury a banana stump and even me as the sister can’t accept we burial goes because if we buried the banana stump today and tomorrow he is found would we conduct another burial,” Okwatch’s sister said just days before his body was found.
Okwatch's mother had camped at the mine for days.
“The miners say they are digging for gold with the hope they will come across the body of their colleague, I am just keeping my hopes high,” Okwatch’s mother Joyce Ocholla stated.
Rescue operations at Abimbo gold mine accident in Bondo, Siaya county Image: DICKENS WASONGA/The Star
Pulse Live Kenya
Earlier, government intervention in the search for the body was pulled out arguing that the machines conducting the search had been reassigned. The rescuers also said the soil was loose therefore endangering their own lives.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: news@pulselive.co.ke
Recommended articles
Notorious criminal Humphrey Shilisia handed 310-year jail sentence
Aden Duale: Uhuru’s family made this plea which nobody can guarantee
How students in Pwani Uni bus made peace with destiny before crash
NTV's Ben Kitili digs into Moha Jicho pevu in 'gloves off' criticism
CS Machogu issues statement on Pwani University accident
Police boss forced to intervene during Jeff Mwathi's exhumation
7 major trends that shaped the month of March in Kenya [Pulse Picks]
Netizens slam Nyamu for undermining possibility of Raila-Ruto handshake
NTV journalist narrates attack by police officers during protest [Video]
Pulse Sports
Ferdinand Omanyala storms to 100m world-leading time, makes February history
Report: Erik ten Hag rules out trophy parade if Manchester United win
Ranking Xavi’s European exits with Barcelona
Video: Christian Atsu’s remains arrive in Ghana
Atsu’s body to be brought home for burial - Ghana Embassy
Sad news: Christian Atsu found dead in Turkey
How well do you know your favourite La Liga club?
Messi gives in to Alphonso Davies' demand after 3 years
