This archive report was first published on 7 August 2020.
On August 5, 2020, a devastating landslide struck Kalaha village in Trans-Nzoia County, claiming the life of a four-year-old girl and leaving her two brothers trapped under the debris.
The girl, identified as Elestina Tata, was buried alive in her home when the landslide occurred at around 7:30 pm. Her brothers, Naftali Barasa and Noah Sebeti, aged six and nine respectively, were rescued by villagers who used hoes and spades to dig through the rubble.
According to eyewitness Jane Wafula, she heard screams from the home and rushed to find the two boys trapped. 'I heard screams from the home and rushed to find the two boys trapped. Their bodies except the heads had been covered by the debris. It when I raised alarm and villagers arrived to help rescued them,' Mrs Wafula said.
The two minor survivors were rushed to Saboti Sub-County hospital where they were admitted. Teldet assistant chief Leonard Khaemba attributed the incident to heavy rains, stating that the area is prone to landslides and emphasizing the need to relocate the families.
Local roads have been rendered impassable due to the rains, which destroyed and washed away sections of the roads. Kinyoro Member of the County Assembly Lawrence Mokosu urged the national government to consider relocating the affected families, describing the situation as a 'time-bomb'.
