Residents in landslides prone areas urged to shift

West Pokot County government has warned residents residing on landslide prone areas to move to safer grounds due to the heavy downpour being experienced in the area.

Area governor Simon Kachapin said the county government is conducting assessment to ensure residents who are at risk are moved.

Speaking at Kosulol in Chepareria ward, Kachapin said the heavy downpour in the region could cause havoc in the region.

Some of the areas prone to landslide include Sondany, Tapach, Batei and highland areas in Pokot South sub County.

The County chief called on the national government to allocate emergency funds to help victims of floods and landslides.

Kachapin urged residents to move from dangerous zones to safer places so as to avoid being affected mudslides following the ongoing rains.

The county boss called upon the families to expeditiously move to safer ground to avert the impending disaster.

“With the area being in the landslide prone region there was a need to warn the locals in advance to avert any causality,” said Kachapin.

According to reports on the ground, there have been a few cases of the mudslides with the local leaders urging the locals to heed the calls and vacate from the steep slopes.

Kachapin said that 40% of the area especially in Pokot South is hilly hence asked the residents to plant more trees to help in holding soil and rocks.

“The only solution left is afforestation so that we can help reduce these calamities,” he said.

He urged residents to move to safer grounds as the rains continue to pound their respective areas and cause havoc through floods and slides.

“Residents should be careful .It is wise for people living in such areas to take precautionary measures by moving to safer grounds.” He added.

Kachapin said that with many areas being characterized by hilly terrain, the landslides have been slowly taking place in the area where the farms, animals and houses have been carried downstream to the valley.