This archive report was first published on 24 November 2019.
Heavy rains have caused devastating landslides in West Pokot County, resulting in a rising death toll and scores of people still missing.
As of now, at least 37 people have been confirmed dead after being buried alive in landslides in Nyarkulian and Parua villages.
West Pokot County Commissioner Apollo Okello reported that 15 bodies have been retrieved from the rubble, while the search for 22 or more bodies continues.
Residents of the affected villages are struggling to come to terms with the loss of their neighbors, friends, and family members.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, but have been hampered by raging floods, impassable roads, and collapsed bridges.
Okello warned that more people could be trapped in the avalanche, and the government is providing food to survivors while plans to relocate them to safer grounds are underway.
Area leaders are calling for additional humanitarian support to aid the affected families.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered the deployment of KDF to the area to assist in rescue operations, and Deputy President William Ruto has pledged government support for those affected.
The Kenya Meteorological department has warned of continued heavy rains in many parts of the country for the next 5 days, urging Kenyans to remain cautious.
