This archive report was first published on 23 November 2019.
Heavy rainfall in West Pokot County has claimed 37 lives, with residents of Nyarkulian and Parua villages buried alive in landslides on November 23, 2019.
According to West Pokot County Commissioner Apollo Okello, rescue efforts are ongoing, with 15 bodies already retrieved from the mud, while the search for the other 22 continues.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has deployed military and police choppers to scale up responses to the tragedy, stating that while rescue and recovery efforts remain the priority, a full assessment into the extent of damage caused continues to be a challenge due to harsh weather conditions.
Speaking to Citizen Digital, Sondany area chief Joel Bulal indicated that there were more casualties whose fate is still unknown, with many people injured and animals and houses buried by the massive landslide.
Deputy President William Ruto has condoled with the bereaved families, urging those in vulnerable areas to be on high alert.
Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has issued a traffic warning, with sections of the highway cut off at Ortum and Sebit following the heavy downpour.
