A gold rush has transformed the previously sleepy village of Kobong' in Homa Bay County, attracting thousands of artisanal miners and altering the local economy and social fabric.

• Over 5,000 artisanal miners are estimated to be active in the area.
• The influx is largely driven by the discovery of gold deposits, drawing miners from across Kenya and neighboring countries.
• The transformation has led to increased economic activity, but also raises concerns about environmental impact and social order.