We came home to find our seven children swept away

Landslides destroy a homestead in Nyarukulian, South Pokot, yesterday. [Peter Ochieng, Standard]

Kapel Yaranyang could not hold back tears after raging floods in Muino, West Pokot, swept away his seven children.

The 46-year-old left for a church function with his wife and children unaware of the calamity that would soon befall his family.

Speaking to the Sunday Standard yesterday, Mr Yaranyang said after the church event at around midnight, he released his older children to go home as he remained behind with his wife and one-year-old baby boy.

“I told them to go and sleep because it was past midnight. We came back at home at 2am only to find that the whole village had been destroyed by floods,” he said.

He said that one of his sons was swept a few kilometres from his home and that his body had been recovered.

“My children were all below 20 year; five girls and two boys. My neighbour’s children were also swept away. We have not managed to get their bodies. It pains me deeply,” he said.

He urged the government to build a temporary houses for them.

“I’m only left with my wife Chebet Kapel and our son. I cannot believe I released my offspring at midnight just to lose all of them in one hour,” he said.