This archive report was first published on 23 November 2019.
Heavy rains have pounded parts of the country, leading to devastating landslides in West Pokot County, where at least 29 people have been confirmed dead.
On November 23, 2019, Baringo Senator Gideon Moi called on disaster response units to be on high alert, saying the government needs to map out high-risk areas and place measures to avert devastating disasters.
“Given the heavy rains that will continue to be witnessed in parts of the country, the government through the provincial administration should move fast and assess danger spots and sensitize residents while putting emergency services on high alert for swift, rapid response,” he said.
Senator Moi made the remarks when he condoled with the families of the victims of the West Pokot county landslides, adding, “On behalf of myself, my family and the people of Baringo, I send my condolences to the families affected and the people of West Pokot and also wish quick recovery to those recuperating in hospitals.”
The massive landslides were triggered by heavy downpour in the region and left a heart-breaking trail of destruction in its wake. Twelve of the victims are from Tapach and Parua in Pokot South, while 17 are from Tamkal in Pokot Central.
Rescue operations, which include a team from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), have been hampered by harsh weather and cut-out road networks. The main road connecting the region between Lodwar and Kapenguria highway has been cut off.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said they were using both police and military choppers in the exercise, adding, “The Government has deployed military and police choppers to scale up responses and respond to the immediate needs of affected families.”
President Uhuru Kenyatta has assured that the exercise will continue until everyone is accounted for, saying, “To those whose loved ones are yet to be found, I assure you that the ongoing multi-agency rescue operation will continue until after every missing person is accounted for.”
