Families displaced as mudslides wreak havoc on West Pokot County

POKOT SOUTH, KENYA: More than 30 families in the highland areas of Tapach and Sina in West Pokot County have been displaced by mudslides following Thursday night storm which also destroyed property.

Several other families are living in fear of the catastrophe that has hampered other essential services including transport as roads become impassable due to the pounding rains in the region.

Some of the residents of Sopowen village in Pokot South Sub County were forced to seek refuge away from the area as they took precautions against the disaster.

Area chief Solomon Likworimoi confirmed the affected families have been stranded as they seek for refuge at local institutions.

He said the families are in dire need of food and clothes since they cannot go back to their homes yet most of them had lost property including their grain reserves.

Likworimoi said farmers had lost their crops as a result of the mudslides and flash floods that have wrecked havoc in the area.

"About nine families in Sopowen have been displaced and they need food among other essentials since they have lost property," he said.

Road networks have also been affected as the slippery nature caused by the heavy rains make them impassable hence hindering transport along most routes in the region.

Nominated member of county assembly Simon Chumakemer appealed to the government and humanitarian agencies to support the affected victims.

He urged well wishers to aid the victims with relief food, clothes and tents for shelter as temporary measure while appealing to the government to upgrade the road networks as a lasting solution to transport hitches.

Meteorologists last week warned of probable weak El Nino rains in the region starting this month and advised relevant authorities to take necessary precautions.

In a report released by the department, residents were told to expect above normal rainfalls from the second week of October with peak in November.

The report further predicted probability of flash floods and siltation of drainage systems besides other catastrophes associating with storm.