Tens Buried Alive In Massive Landslide

The body count from the tragic West Pokot County landslide has risen to 37.

Citizen TV was first to report that more bodies were recovered underneath the mud, with fears that there could be more casualties as time goes by.

The 37 from Tapach and Parua in Pokot South, and from Tamkal in Pokot Central, were buried alive after a night of heavy downpour.

 

 

The road between Parua and Ortum has been rendered impassable by the landslide.

Interior CS Fred Fred Matiang' i weighed in on the tragedy and indicated that his team was collaborating with other officials at the scene to ensure that the recovery efforts were in line.

"The Government has deployed Military and Police Choppers to scale up responses and respond to the immediate needs of affected families. While rescue and recovery efforts remain the priority, a full assessment into the extent of damage caused continues to be a challenge due to harsh weather conditions,” read the statement.

Various top leaders, led by DP William Ruto, came out to express their solidarity with the people of the West Pokot county.

"Sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the West Pokot landslide. May God give you peace and comfort, and may our prayers ease the pain of this great loss. We urge those in vulnerable areas to be on alert during this period of the short rains," DP William Ruto urged.

"I express my heartfelt condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the West Pokot Landslides. May God comfort you during these trying moments," Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa weighed in.

"Deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those who lost their loved ones in the West Pokot landslide. Our thoughts and prayers during these trying times." Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka condoled with the families.
The statement from the Interior CS Fred Matiang'i on Saturday, November 23.