Panic in Elgeyo Marakwet as Fresh Landslide Strikes Hours After 26 Confirmed Dead
Tragedy has struck Elgeyo Marakwet County again after another landslide hit Kibendo in Keiyo South on Sunday night as heavy rainfall continues to wreak havoc.
Governor Wisely Rotich confirmed the incident around midnight saying the disaster was caused by the continuous rains that have been pounding the region for days.
“We have just experienced another landslide at Kibendo in Keiyo North due to the heavy rains and the unfortunate has happened,” Rotich posted on social media. “The county disaster response team, the office of the area MP and ambulances are already on site.”
By Monday morning, the governor reported two people had died when a big rock fell on their house. Several others were injured and rushed to Iten County Referral Hospital.
“The county disaster response team, health team, area chief and residents managed to respond and rush the injured to hospital. Unfortunately we lost two when a big rock fell on the house they were in,” Rotich said.
The Kenya Red Cross also confirmed their rescue team was on their way to assist in the affected areas.
Rotich has urged residents living in fragile or hilly areas to move to higher ground to avoid further loss of life.
“I beg each one of us to listen,” he pleaded. “These are extraordinary times and we need each of us to comply to save lives.”
This is the second landslide in 24 hours after Chesongoch area experienced a similar disaster early Sunday morning where 26 people were confirmed dead. 25 are still missing and 26 are in hospital.
The county government has since intensified rescue and evacuation efforts as the rains are expected to continue in the coming days.
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Panic in Elgeyo Marakwet as Fresh Landslide Strikes Hours After 26 Confirmed Dead