This archive report was first published on 23 November 2019.
On November 23, 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered the relocation of people in floods and landslide-prone areas following the West Pokot tragedy that left 29 people dead and several others missing.
According to a statement issued from State House, President Kenyatta directed the deployment of resources, including rescue personnel from various security and humanitarian agencies, to the affected region.
The tragedy occurred at 2:30 am when houses in two remote villages were buried by a landslide following heavy rains pounding various parts of the country.
"I have directed Regional Commissioners in flood and landslide-prone regions of our country to work very closely with our security and humanitarian teams to ensure that citizens in these areas are urgently moved to safer grounds," President Kenyatta said.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi confirmed that the tragedy affected two regions, with 12 people from Tapach and Parua in Pokot South, and 17 from Tamkal in Pokot Central losing their lives.
Search and recovery efforts were underway, led by the Rift Valley Regional Security Committee, with the help of government and humanitarian agencies, including the Kenya Red Cross.
West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo described the incident as a major tragedy and urged residents in the affected area to relocate.
