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At least four were killed and 28 are missing after mudslides struck the counties of West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet, the Col. (Rtd) Cyrus Oguna, Government Spokesperson said on Sunday.
Oguna said the Ministry of Interior is coordinating and upscaling search and rescue efforts of the missing persons.
He said among the missing is a police officer.
“Five police officers and two civilians have already been airlifted to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital for specialised medical care. Thirteen more civilians have also been treated and discharged from local discrepancies while three are still undergoing treatment, “ said Oguna.
I captured this picture of Chesegon Shopping center. All the buildings are submerged under mud and huge rocks pic.twitter.com/ycQa9cKls7
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) April 19, 2020
The Government disclosed that besides ‘bad weather hampering the rescue and recovery operations,” 493 households (350 in West Pokot and 143 in Elgeyo Marakwet) comprising some 4000 people have been confirmed as displaced.
The mudslides occurred following heavy rains received on Saturday 18 April in Embumbut forest in Elegeyo Marakwet instigating a heavy mudslide in West Pokot county.
⚠️Heavy rainfall wreaks havoc in West Pokot.
The flooded Chesekon town in West Pokot County at the border with Elgeyo Marakwer County. Several houses including a police post have been swept away. #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/YW3ocNJ3E5
— Kenya Met Department 🇰🇪 (@MeteoKenya) April 18, 2020
https://twitter.com/FredMatiangi/status/1251796854116954112?s=20