No destruction as earth tremor hits Meru, Embu counties

The larger Meru region and parts of Embu County were on Sunday night hit by an earth tremor at around midnight.

The tremor that lasted for about two minutes caused cracks on mud-walled houses, especially in the lower parts of Tharaka Nithi County.

The quake occurred 10 days after another one was experienced in Tharaka on New Year’s Day. But the county meteorological department has not been able to measure the magnitude of the tremor that was stronger in Tharaka plains.

Meteorological Director Danson Ireri said no Richter scale (quake measuring machine) in the larger Meru region was working, noting operational devices were in Nairobi.

“We are aware of the tremor but cannot confirm the magnitude,” he said.

Tharaka Nithi Police boss Johnston Ipara said there was no destruction reported.