This archive report was first published on 23 November 2019.
November 23, 2019 - A landslide in West Pokot, Kenya, has left a trail of destruction and loss of life, with the death toll rising to 29.
According to a statement by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, the tragedy affected two regions in West Pokot: Pokot South and Pokot Central.
"We are saddened to confirm that 12 people from Tapach and Parua in Pokot South, and 17 from Tamkal in Pokot Central lost their lives," Matiang'i said in a statement.
Search and recovery efforts are underway, led by the Rift Valley Regional Security Committee, with the help of government and humanitarian agencies, including the Kenya Red Cross.
"The government has deployed military and police choppers to scale up responses and respond to immediate needs of affected families while rescue and recovery efforts remain a priority," Matiang'i added.
West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo described the incident as a major tragedy, urging residents in the affected area to relocate.
"The way things are at the moment, we can only issue a warning to our residents and those in neighbouring counties, to tell them that we cannot predict how this situation will play out especially those in the hilly areas should be advised to self-evacuate to safer grounds until the rains subside," he said.
West Pokot County Commissioner Appolo Okello said the recovery efforts were hampered by heavy rains.
"The challenge we are having is the heavy rains but we are determined to do our best in the search and rescue," he said.
Two children had been rescued and rushed to hospital.
