Did a goat herder's lucky $200 nugget spark a gold rush in western Kenya?
A goat herder's discovery of gold in a remote Kenyan village has triggered a massive influx of prospectors, transforming the local landscape. Thousands have arrived in hopes of escaping poverty, though the long-term economic impact remains uncertain.
Why it matters
The story illustrates the desperation for economic mobility in rural areas and the rapid, often chaotic, social consequences of sudden resource discovery.
Image caption, Manasse Lomachar would like the discovery of gold to improve life in his village
A goat herder from a remote area of western Kenya has told the BBC his discovery of a golden nugget has sparked a gold rush, overwhelming his small village over the last few weeks.
When people found out that 33-year-old Manasse Lomachar had sold his three grams of gold for 36,000 Kenyan shillings ($280; £205) several weeks ago, he believes this led to thousands of prospectors arrived in Cheporor.
And it is true that what last month was just bushland and rough grazing ground near the village is now scarred by pits, mounds of earth and makeshift mining camps.
It is not clear if was Lomachar's lucky find or other recent discoveries that sparked the excitement. But local authorities estimate that about 10,000 people arrived at the height of the rush.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in