A landslide has occured in Wei wei ward in West Pokot County, claiming the lives of two people while four people have been rescued and have been admitted at Tamkal dispensary. The landslide which occurred at Karapogh area last night has destroyed houses, with the full extent of the damage still unknown
According to Karapogh sub location chief Benson Seirayai, heavy rains pounded the area throughout the night. He said a 75-year-old woman and a 6-year-old boy were buried alive while trying to run away from the landslide.
He said one house which had four occupants was swept by the landslide but fortunately the four were not killed and were rescued by neighbours. He said the area is inaccessible and efforts to transfer the bodies to Kapenguria referral morgue have been futile due to heavy rains and bad terrain.
He noted that a number of livestock and houses have been buried in the rubble, “Five houses were completely flattened and you cannot even establish if there were houses in this place. We have lost lives and property,” he said.
Pokot Central sub county acting deputy County commissioner Naftali Kipkorir said due to heavy rainfall overnight the area has been inaccessible to police officers who were dispatched to rescue the affected families.
He said by the end of the day after police officers access the area they will get the exact number of deaths and those affected. “Houses have been destroyed and we suspect we have more bodies buried in the rubble. Some of the rescued residents have been taken to Tamkal dispensary,” he said. He added that residents are helping in the rescue mission as police officers had to abandoned their vehicle at Tamkal and decided to walk for over two hours so as to reach the place.
