40 families homeless after another landslide

Chesegon, where the trading centre was buried under rubble after a mudslide at the border of Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot counties. [Kevin Tunoi]

About 40 families have been displaced from their homes in Muino, West Pokot County, after another landslide hit the area.

Late last month, over 4,000 people were displaced after mudslide at the border of West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet counties. Four people were reported dead.

In early February, one person was injured and several houses destroyed following a landslide Kongot village, Tapach Ward in West Pokot.

And late last year, 37 people died in massive landslides that also cut off the region as heavy rains rendered roads impassable.

Some of the families that have lost their homes in the latest incident are camping at Solion Primary School.

The mudslides that occurred at Solion in Muino also damaged 200 acres of cultivated land.

Nancy Emanuel, one those affected, called on the Government and well wishers to intervene.

"We are living in fear. We ran out of our homes with nothing. No one thought of saving anything because it was too risky," the mother of two said yesterday.

She added: "Some people have tried to go back to their homes, but there are fears of more landslides. We don’t have food to sustain us in the camp. We need help.”

Mr Samson Lopolian said residents in Chesogon, Sakata and Chesta villages are at risk after cracks appeared in nearby hills.

"Some residents are not willing to move out of the danger zones. Those living in mountainous areas, should be moved out, even if it means by force, to avoid a calamity," Lopolian said.

He said many have also abandoned farming after cracks also emerged on land.

Area chief Emanuel Chesta said the landslides left a trail of destruction. "Fortunately, no one is reported to have been killed or injured," said Chesta.

He added: "We have asked those who have been affected in Psakas and Mariny villages to move to Solion Academy until it is safe to go back."