10 killed in Marakwet landslides

The site where one of the houses was swept away by landslide at Kabur village [Photo:Peter Ochieng/Standard]

 

By Vincent Bartoo

Marakwet, Kenya: At least 10 people among them three children have been killed after landslides hit Elgeyo Marakwet County following heavy rains.

The landslides occurred in Kocholwo, Simit, Kapsokom, Kaptarkom and Toroplongon areas of the county that have been prone to the earth movements.

The areas lie along the Keiyo escarpment and numerous efforts have been made to move families living in the area to safer places in vain.

According to preliminary reports by the Kenya Red Cross, one of the landslides engulfed a house with three children sleeping in it. They were all killed.

Screams rent the air from 1 p. Friday night when the landslides struck as villagers sought to save their lives and those of their family members.

By 8am Saturday, at least seven other bodies had been recovered in addition to the three children while several villagers were still missing and feared to be buried in the mud.

Red Cross and Government personnel with assistance from villagers made frantic efforts to look for survivors, some of who were rushed to nearby medical centres for treatment.

Rescue efforts are still on despite ongoing rain in the affected areas.