This archive report was first published on 24 November 2019.
On November 24, 2019, a devastating landslide struck West Pokot County, claiming several lives and leaving many more in danger.
Mr. Julius Kebisha, a teacher, lost his son in the tragedy. The boy, who had just sat for his KCPE exams, was swept away while his father was rescuing their neighbours.
"My wife and my daughter have been rescued and taken to Kapenguria County hospital. I am mourning the death of my son who was going to save lives," Mr. Kebisha said, struggling to come to terms with the loss.
Another family, the Yopokapel family, also suffered a tragic loss. Mr. Chemuruto Yopokapel told the Sunday Standard that his three sons were buried alive in the landslide, while his two daughters and wife escaped with injuries.
"I scampered to save the lives of my family but I couldn’t go back inside the house to save the three boys aged six, eight and 10. I fell several times as stones hit and injured me. I gave up on the way," Mr. Yopokapel said.
The area is prone to landslides, according to Sondany Chief Joel Bulal, who mobilised the community to start rescue efforts after receiving a report of the mudslides at 4am.
"People were swept away and trapped between 2am to 4am. It was difficult to access the places because it was too dark and it was raining. If it could have occurred during the day, we could have saved more lives," Chief Bulal said.
