This archive report was first published on 24 November 2019.
Published on November 24, 2019, a devastating landslide in West Pokot County has left a trail of destruction and death in its wake. The disaster, which occurred on November 23, 2019, has been described by West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo as the worst disaster to have ever happened in the region.
A team led by Governor Lonyangapuo and County Commissioner Apollo Okello were stranded for hours at Sepit, 10km from Nyarkulian, where many people have been affected. The governor regretted that the county's hilly terrain and efforts to connect most regions had been reversed after floods swept away four bridges constructed using millions of shillings.
“The devastating landslide has also swept away billions of shillings worth of investment by the government and other partners after it swept away acres of irrigation projects spread across the region. This is a major setback to development of the county,” Governor Lonyangapuo said at the destroyed Muruny bridge.
Rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing, led by the Rift Valley regional security committee in collaboration with other government and humanitarian agencies. Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i stated that rescue and recovery efforts are being carried out, despite the challenges posed by the floods.
Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) has warned motorists plying the Lodwar-Kitale Highway to exercise caution due to the heavy downpour and subsequent landslides. The heavy downpour on Friday night cut off the Kitale-Kapenguria to Lodwar and South Sudan road.
