A mine in Nyatike, Migori county. Photo/Courtesy

Migori County Labour Officer Bonface Karugi said authorities had witnessed a growing number of children working in gold mines, quarries and other activities across the county.

Karugi warned that employing children illegally would attract legal action, saying the labour office would pursue those found engaging minors in mining and other forms of work.

He urged parents, community leaders, employers and other stakeholders to work together to combat child labour, emphasising that children should be in school rather than exposed to potentially hazardous working conditions.

The concerns have also been raised by other county leaders, including Migori County Executive Committee Member for Water and Energy Silas Onyango, who recently highlighted the growing number of minors involved in quarrying in Kakrao Ward.

Onyango said some children were dropping out of school to work at quarrying sites, raising concerns about their education and welfare.

He called on the government to conduct a crackdown on quarrying sites across Kakrao to identify and rescue children engaged in the activity.

The county executive member urged authorities to address the issue urgently, warning that continued child involvement in quarrying threatens their access to education and exposes them to unsafe working conditions.

The calls come amid growing concern among local leaders over child labour in mining and quarrying areas, with stakeholders being urged to strengthen enforcement and ensure children are protected from exploitative work.