Houses destroyed as fresh landslide hits West Pokot
Kongot village in West Pokot County which was hit by landslides on February 2, 2020. An elderly woman was injured while more than five houses have were destroyed. PHOTO | OSCAR KAKAI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The fresh landslide came before victims of last November’s incident were fully settled.
- It happened following a heavy downpour on Saturday night.
- In November, landslides in Tapach, Nyarkulian and Tamkal villages claimed 43 lives.
One person was injured and at least five houses destroyed following a fresh landslide in Kongot village, Tapach Ward in West Pokot County.
Tapach MCA Timtim Korinyang said the victim, an elderly woman, was seriously injured in the Sunday incident and was rushed to Kapenguria County Referral Hospital.
He said the woman was covered by soil after the landslide hit her house.
The fresh landslide came before victims of last November’s landslides were fully settled.
It happened following a heavy downpour on Saturday night.
Last November’s landslides in Tapach, Nyarkulian and Tamkal villages claimed 43 lives according to the government.
Dozens were also injured.
CHILDREN UNHURT
The Tapach MCA said the woman who was injured on Sunday – identified as Cheptunyan Chemalitin – was with her grandchildren in the house when the landslide occurred but the young ones managed to escape unhurt.
"The woman, who is about 80 years old, was too weak to run. She was covered by the mud and neighbours came to her rescue. They took her to Kapenguria Referral Hospital where she is recuperating,” he said.
He said some domestic animals were buried alive by the landslide.
A resident, Raphael Pkolowo, said about 30 goats and cattle were buried by the landslide. He said residents are now living in fear.
"It rained heavily and five houses were destroyed. We almost lost the woman. The screams from her grandchildren attracted neighbours who came to her rescue,” he said.
