At least 29 people have been confirmed dead following massive landslides that occurred early Saturday morning in Kenya’s West Pokot county, according to an official statement from the President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta.
The president offered his sincere condolences to the bereaved families and directed the deployment of resources rescue personnel from various security and humanitarian agencies.
“My thoughts and prayers, and those of our entire nation are with families, friends and relatives of those who lost their beloved ones in the unfortunate incident. Please accept my heartfelt condolences” he said. “To those who were injured in the calamitous incident and are receiving treatment in different hospitals, I pray for your quick recovery and restoration.”
“I have further directed Regional Commissioners in flood and landslide prone regions of our country to work very closely with our security and humanitarian teams to ensure that citizens in these areas are urgently moved to safer grounds,” he added.
The county Governor John Lonyangapuo joined the president in sending his condolences to victims of the landslide.
The road has also been cut off at Ortum along Kitale-Kapenguria-Lodwar Highway and several bridges swept away. My thoughts are with the families affected by the tragedy. Mutyo Nyoman Pikocho.
— Prof John Krop Lonyangapuo (@Johnlonyangapuo) November 23, 2019
According to an official statement from the cabinet secretary Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, Dr Fred Matiang’i, the landslides occurred at around 2.30a.m Saturday morning following heavy down pour.
