Despite high health risks, women reluctant to abandon trade in gold

Women mining gold at the Macalder mines in Nyatike Constituency in Migori County, western Kenya. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Mary Adhiambo’s frail frame and watery eyes are the first signs of her poor health. Her heavy breathing prevents her from engaging in lengthy talk, but the gold trade, her source of livelihood, is unforgiving. Haggling over price is the order of the day, and she has to keep up, although it leaves her breathless.

MERCURY FUMES