This archive report was first published on 25 November 2019.
On Monday, a government chopper carrying Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i, Devolution counterpart Eugene Wamalwa, and Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai was forced to land in Eldoret due to bad weather.
The chopper was headed to Kapenguria Referral Hospital to meet West Pokot leaders and victims of the landslides that occurred on Saturday, leaving about 40 people dead and many others injured.
CS Matiang'i, accompanied by Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya, said the chopper left Nairobi at 8:30am but was advised by pilots and experts to land in Eldoret due to safety and security concerns.
"It looks like it's very difficult for the helicopters we're using to fly into Kapenguria because it's still raining, it's very foggy, and visibility is not very clear. Because of safety and security considerations, we have been advised to divert to Eldoret," said CS Matiang'i.
The CS added that they would either spend the night in Eldoret and fly into Kapenguria on Tuesday morning or fly back to Nairobi until the weather clears.
Dr. Matiang'i reassured the West Pokot County leadership that the National Government is committed to addressing the challenges the people are facing due to the mudslides and that affected families will be supported.
"We have sent some relief supply ahead. I know that, because the roads are very difficult to navigate at this time, some of the food and items like blankets may be late to arrive… but we dispatched some food both from Eldoret and Nairobi," he added.
Devolution CS Wamalwa stated that among the items dispatched to the affected areas are food and non-food items such as blankets, mattresses, tents, and mosquito nets.
IG Mutyambai stated that all resources in the security department, including trucks, had been deployed to the area to aid in moving affected families.
Thirty-eight people have since been reported dead following landslides in Nyarkulian and Parua villages in West Pokot County.
