Kenyan Home Affairs Minister Kipchumba Murkomen has confirmed that at least 21 people have died after a landslide in the west of the country. Dozens of residents of the affected area were injured, and dozens more are still missing. The landslide, which occurred on the night of Friday to Saturday, was caused by heavy rainfall.
The search for victims continued throughout the day in the affected areas in the Elegyo-Marakwet district. This search was coordinated by the Kenyan Red Cross, among others. Minister Murkomen also mentions the involvement of local organizations and the community. The search will continue tomorrow, with support from the army and police.
The government is preparing to bring food and relief supplies to the affected area. The Red Cross states that rescue efforts are made more difficult because most of the area is not accessible by road due to mudslides and flooding. The aid organization therefore evacuated the injured using helicopters and planes.
The delivery of relief supplies will therefore probably involve the use of military and police helicopters.
This week also arrived nine people died as a result of heavy rainfall in eastern Uganda, close to the border with Kenya. In both Kenya and Uganda, natural disasters have caused the destruction of infrastructure and homes. In Kenya there are at least a thousand houses. The government is still looking for a suitable shelter for all displaced people.
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