Officials confirm that 16 are confirmed dead after houses were swept away Saturday in landslides caused by heavy rain in West Pokot, local publication Daily Nation has reported.
The death toll is expected to rise as more bodies are pulled from the morass.
In an official Tweet, the Kenya Red Cross said its personnel have responded to the emergency.
Massive landslides reported in various areas of West Pokot County following heavy downpour. Response teams activated. Details to follow.
— Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross) November 23, 2019
Local chief of the area, Joel Bulal, who spoke to Daily Nation, confirmed that at least 12 people were buried alive when the landslides hit.
According to the local administrators, more people and animals could be trapped inside their homes after being buried by the landslide.
Transport has been paralysed with many roads being cut off due to the rain.
West Pokot region is currently experiencing heavy downpours, like many other arid and semi-arid areas.
More to follow…
