Residents of West Pokot County have been put on high alert for landslides following heavy rains in the region. Two villages, Mokoyon and Meshau in Pokot South Subcounty, have already experienced minor landslides. The area has faced heavy rains after a week-long downpour, which has caused destruction to farms and homes.
some residents have started moving to safer areas as hills show signs of disintegrating and erosion, causing panic.
“We are uncertain of what will happen next. The deadly tragedy that happened here some years ago is still etched in our minds,” said Charles Nguriaki, a resident.
In 2019, more than 20 people died, properties were destroyed, and thousands were displaced in Muino, Nyarkulian, and Parua villages due to landslides. Another tragedy in 2020 killed more than 50 people, destroyed property, and displaced over 1,500 people in Chesegon.
In March last year, a woman was killed by flash floods in Muino, Pokot Central Subcounty, which also destroyed Chemutlokotyo Secondary School and Ortum market.
Other areas prone to mudslides and landslides include Tapach, Sondany, Nyarkulian, Parua, Muino, Cheptongo, Ortum, Kelerwa Kalee, Solion, Upper Batei, Tapach, Weiwei, Upper Lomut, and Cheptulel. The Meteorological Department has indicated that highlands are expected to receive heavy rains with both positive and negative effects.
West Pokot County Disaster Management Chief Officer David Chepelion stated that measures have been put in place to deal with the effects of the heavy downpour. A multi-sectoral disaster preparedness committee is ready to handle any emergency. Chepelion noted that the committee has mapped out Ortum, Kongelai, Kacheliba, Parua, Nyarkulian, and Muino as high-risk areas.
“We urge residents to be cautious and take individual precautions, even as the government works to ensure citizens’ safety,” said Chepelion. He added that the county has begun planting trees in landslide-prone areas and encouraged locals to support this initiative.
“We have already planted more than 10 million tree seedlings. Afforestation is the only solution left to mitigate these calamities,” he stated.
Kenya Red Cross Society coordinator Scholastic Kapelo urged families in landslide-prone areas to move to safer grounds. “We also advise residents to avoid building their houses beneath or near hills, as this increases their risk,” Kapelo said.
Pokot South’s hilly terrain has experienced gradual landslides. Deputy County Commissioner David Bowen warned that the landslides could be more severe than anticipated. “I urge residents to move to safer areas because we do not know the full magnitude of the rains and do not want to take any risks,” he said.
