- Manasse Lomachar, a goat herder from western Kenya, discovered a gold nugget while searching for a missing goat, which he later sold for 36,000 Kenyan shillings ($280), sparking a significant gold rush in the area.
- Local authorities estimate that about 10,000 people arrived in Cheporor at the height of the rush, although the number of prospectors has since declined to around 2,500 as some have given up the search.
- The influx of prospectors has led to the emergence of more than 200 businesses around the site, providing essential goods and services to the new population.
- Authorities have deployed public health officials and increased security patrols in response to the challenges posed by the sudden influx of people.
- Several truckloads of material have been transported to Ortum town for processing, with results pending on the viability of the mining.
- Lomachar's discovery occurred by chance while he was searching for a goat, leading him to join women panning for gold along a riverbed.
- The excitement around the gold rush was fueled by rumors of significant gold discoveries, which may have been exaggerated, drawing in many inexperienced prospectors.
- Local officials are concerned about the potential for children to be drawn into mining activities as schools prepare to reopen.
A goat herder's chance discovery of a gold nugget has led to a significant gold rush in Cheporor, Kenya, overwhelming the village with thousands of prospectors.12
33-year-old Manasse Lomachar sold three grams of gold for 36,000 Kenyan shillings ($280; £205), igniting excitement among locals.
Local authorities estimate that 10,000 people flocked to the area at the peak of the rush, transforming the landscape from bushland to a mining hub.34
Lomachar recounted, “I joined [the women panning for gold], and that's how [the village] realised there was gold in this area.”
Many, like farmer Patrick Lokolia, joined the rush to support their families, stating, “I have children in school, and paying school fees has been a big problem for me.”11
Eighteen-year-old Abigael Chelengat, who had never mined before, came to Cheporor hoping to find gold to pay her school fees.
Deputy commissioner Samuel Kiarie noted that the rush began after two significant discoveries, with young men and women finding substantial amounts of gold.
Previously, women earned $8-$23 a week from alluvial gold, but the recent finds have drawn many more to the area.
Since the initial rush, the number of prospectors has decreased to around 2,500 as some have given up the search.
“The rush has drawn prospectors from as far as Uganda, with one miner spending 100,000 Ugandan shillings ($27) to travel. Local officials report more than 200 businesses have emerged, while public health teams and security patrols have been deployed to manage the influx.”
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