In the vast, sun-scorched plains of Turkana County, where pastoralism has defined livelihoods for generations, another form of survival is taking root beneath the earth’s surface. Hidden within the rocky terrain are deposits of gold that have become a source of hope for hundreds of families, particularly women who are increasingly driving the county’s artisanal mining sector.
For many communities in Lomeguro and Naduat, artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is more than an economic activity it is a lifeline. Armed with little more than hammers, shovels, ropes, and unwavering determination, women spend long hours digging deep shafts, crushing rocks, and washing soil in search of tiny flakes of gold that can provide food, pay school fees, and support their families.
According to village elder Zakayo Lomanat, residents first discovered gold in Lomeguro in 1991. What began as small-scale prospecting has gradually grown into an important source of income in a county where recurring droughts have made pastoralism increasingly difficult.
“The role of women in gold mining has been pivotal from the very beginning,” says Zakayo. “Most men spend their time looking after livestock, leaving women at the center of mining activities. Through mining, many women have managed to educate their children, provide for their families, and even build permanent homes.”
Among those women is 36-year-old Ann Loutei, a mother of four who has worked in the mines since 1999. For nearly three decades, mining has been the foundation of her family’s livelihood. Her day begins before sunrise as she prepares breakfast, gets her children ready for school, and completes household chores before making her way to the mining site.
Once at the mines, Ann supervises workers she hires to excavate underground shafts while she oversees the processing of the gold-bearing ore. The work often continues until evening.
“Gold mining is my daily job,” Ann explains. “I have to balance work and family life. I hire miners to dig the shafts in shifts while I process the ore and later sell the gold.”
Mining today, however, is far more demanding than when she first started. She recalls a time when gold deposits could be found just four or five feet below the ground. Today, miners are forced to dig much deeper, increasing both the cost of production and the risks involved.
The narrow underground tunnels often lack proper ventilation, lighting, and safety equipment, exposing miners to accidents and health hazards. Ann says access to protective gear, first-aid kits, and safer mining technologies would significantly improve working conditions.
Recognizing the need for collective action, miners in Lomeguro have formed associations that now operate under the Ajokis Cooperative, enabling members to work together, access training, and strengthen their bargaining power.
In the neighboring Naduat village in Turkana North, 36-year-old Alice Lourien tells a similar story of resilience. The single mother of six is the chairlady of the Atiakunet Group, which began in 2012 as a table-banking self-help group before venturing into gold mining in 2015. Today, the group operates under the Jatan Cooperative and manages both individual and shared mining shafts.
Alice vividly remembers the uncertainty that accompanied her first investment in mining. “The first shaft I paid people to dig did not produce any gold. It was discouraging. But the second one yielded gold and I sold nearly seven grams. At the time, one gram was selling for KSh4,000. That was a life-changing moment.”
Despite such successes, mining remains unpredictable. Some days yield nothing, forcing Alice to supplement her income by selling charcoal and water to support her family. Beyond her own business, Alice has become a respected advocate for women working in the mines. She educates fellow miners about their rights, encourages them to negotiate fair wages, and speaks openly against sexual exploitation and gender-based violence within mining communities.
Although women have become central to artisanal mining in Turkana, they continue to face significant challenges. One of the biggest obstacles is the absence of a structured and reliable market for gold. Without formal buying centers, miners are forced to sell to middlemen who dictate prices, often purchasing gold far below its actual market value before reselling it elsewhere for substantial profits.
“Our biggest challenge is finding a market where we can sell our gold at fair prices,” Ann Loutei laments. “Most of us only sell locally to dealers who make much bigger profits than we do.”
The lack of formal markets also makes it difficult for miners to determine the true value of their gold, leaving many vulnerable to exploitation. The Turkana County Association of Artisanal Miners is working to change that. Its Chairperson, Joseph Ekiru, says organizing miners into cooperative societies is an important step toward formalizing the sector.
“The Mining Act requires artisanal miners to belong to cooperative societies that are issued with permits to carry out mining legally,” Ekiru says. “Through these cooperatives, miners can access government support, improve accountability, and strengthen their bargaining power.”
Formalization is also expected to improve safety standards, environmental management, and access to financial services for miners.
For many young women, mining is not an end goal but a stepping stone toward a better future. Twenty-two-year-old Hellen spends her days crushing gold ore under the intense Turkana sun. The work is physically exhausting, the income uncertain, and the rewards often minimal. Yet she continues because it provides the only available source of income.
“The pay is little compared to the amount of work we do,” Hellen says. “We also need better equipment and training. I am only doing this because of my circumstances. My dream is to become a doctor.”
Her story reflects the aspirations of many young people in Turkana who hope that mining will eventually provide enough income to pursue education and other career opportunities.
The County Government of Turkana has announced plans to establish a gemstone and mineral trading center that will provide miners with a secure and transparent market. According to County Director of Mining Elim Areman, the proposed center will help track mineral production, streamline royalty collection, and reduce exploitation by informal traders.
Meanwhile, organizations such as the Turkana County Association of Artisanal Miners, Oxfam, and the Association of Women in Energy and Extractives in Kenya (AWEIK) continue supporting women miners through leadership training, financial literacy, business management, and human rights education. Some women’s groups have also received ore-crushing machines, while others have undergone training on gender inclusion, workplace safety, and the prevention of gender-based violence in mining communities.
As Turkana continues to position itself as an emerging mining region, experts believe that formalizing artisanal mining, improving access to modern equipment, and establishing fair markets could transform the sector into a major driver of economic growth.
For women like Ann, Alice, and Hellen, mining is far more than digging for gold. It represents resilience in the face of hardship, hope for a better tomorrow, and the determination to create opportunities where few previously existed. Every bucket of soil lifted from Turkana’s rocky ground carries the possibility of changing a family’s future. And with stronger support from government, development partners, and the private sector, the women powering Turkana’s artisanal mining industry could become the driving force behind a more inclusive and prosperous local economy.
