Families of the three people killed in the Karebe Gold Mine explosion last week in Nandi are demanding justice and accusing the investigating authorities of being slow to bring the offenders to justice.

Residents of Kibisem and Chemase in the Tinderet constituency have urged the government to swiftly arrest those responsible for the explosion of the Karebe gold mine in the Kibisem area.

Residents claim that the attack that took place a fortnight ago caused tension in the neighborhood and caused mining operations to stop out of concern for another blast.

Residents of Kibisem demanded the arrest of suspects who are well known and are rumored to be walking freely while claiming to be protected by powerful individuals in government while speaking at the funeral of one of the victims, Georgfrey Kipchirchir.

Angry residents and leaders wondered why nobody had been arrested in connection with the murder, one week since the incident occurred.

Nandi governor Stephen sang issued a two-day ultimatum for the arrest of key suspects, adding that police should complete their investigation and arrest those involved in the incident as soon as possible.

According to Sang, the incident was an act of criminality, and the law should take its course. The governor stated that if the perpetrators are not apprehended, the families of the victims may not receive closure.

Sang however maintained that investors should be protected noting that chemase has wide deposits of gold therefore those who have been cleared to do mining activities must be supported and protected by law .

There has been a simmering tension between Karebe Mining Company and one of the families opposed to renewal of the lease citing mistreatment by the company. 

Two other victims Geoffrey Onyango and Julius Kipchumba were buried in their respective counties of Siaya and Nandi.