NAIROBI, Nov. 24, 2019 (BSS/XINHUA) – Kenyan officials on Saturday
confirmed that 37 people had died as a result of landslides that hit
northwestern county of West Pokot following heavy downpour on Friday night,
according to local media.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta sent condolences to the bereaved families
in a statement, assuring that every missing person will be accounted for and
measures put in place to prevent further loss of life.
Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government of
Kenya Fred Matiang’i said that rescue efforts were ongoing in the villages
that were hit by massive landslides.
“Rescue and recovery efforts are being carried out by our security team and
humanitarian agencies,” said Matiang’i, adding that the government has
deployed military and police choppers to boost recovery efforts at the scene.
He said that harsh weather had earlier slowed down search and rescue for
landslide victims, adding that an assessment on the magnitude of damage
caused by the disaster was a priority.
The landslides caused a humanitarian crisis in the affected villages in
West Pokot County that neighbors Uganda and South Sudan.
Local media reported that the landslides also caused massive destruction of
infrastructure including roads and bridges, hampering the rescue work.
Kenya Red Cross had deployed personnel to assist in the rescue effort. “We
continue to assess the possibility of more landslides occurring in other
nearby villages as the rains continue to pound the area.” it tweeted.