The National Government has issued contradicting reports on West Pokot landslide tragedy that struck the villages of Parua, Nyarkulian and Muino in Pokot South.
Reports in the media had indicated that the death toll had hit 52, with international media Aljazeera reporting that at least 60 had lost lives.
At least 60 people have died in landslides sparked by heavy rain in Kenya's West Pokot county. pic.twitter.com/iPDvTNMd43
— Daniel Mwambonu (@DMwambonu) November 28, 2019
But while giving an update on Thursday morning, government spokesperson Cyrus Oguna indicated that the death toll has hit 43.
He however noted that other people have not yet been found.
Oguna further noted that 1500 people have lost their homes and are currently being held in different camps.
He noted that most of people who have lost their lives are youths.
“Kufikia sasa watu 43 wameripotiwa kupoteza maisha yao na wengine bado hawajapatikana. 1500 hawana makao hivyo wako kwenye kambi mbalimbali. Wengi wa waliopoteza maisha yao ni vijana na ni jambo la kusikitisha sana.” Cyrus Oguna pic.twitter.com/wyZEZbqTtR
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) November 28, 2019
Oguna said the government has given food relief to the affected families.
The government has also issued blankets, mosquito nets, medicine and cooking utensils to help affected families keep up with life.
Cyrus Oguna: Serikali imetoa chakula kwa sehemu zote zilizoathirika. Pia imetoa dawa, blanketi, nyavu za mbu na vyombo vya kupikia ili kuwapatia njia ya kuweza kukidhi maisha ijapokuwa sio sehemu wanamoishi. pic.twitter.com/JQZ1K2XnqT
— Radio Citizen (@RadioCitizenFM) November 28, 2019
Forty health specialists from Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) on Tuesday afternoon arrived at Kapenguria County Referral Hospital to help the victims.
West Pokot governor Prof John Lonyangapuo on Monday told journalists that search and rescue mission was still underway to find the missing people.
The efforts to find and pull more bodies out of mud have been hampered by lack of transport because the roads heading to the area are either impassable or non-existent.
Contrary to Oguna’s statement, Lonyangapuo said 22,000 homesteads and between 80,000-120,000 people have been displaced or affected by the landslides.
The county, the governor said, has run out of medicines after the remaining stocks were sent to dispensaries and schools caring for the displaced.
He appealed to well-wishers to donate food items, clothes, blankets among others, saying that they have set up store in Kapenguria township for aid. He said they will also establish a helpline and paybill number to help the victims.