A family of three went missing Wednesday morning following a landslide in Kapchebogel village, Kasist sublocation, Baringo County. Police and other rescuers who responded to the scene reported that the homestead of a man and his family was swept away. The man, his 38-year-old wife, and their 13-year-old son were unaccounted for after the incident, which occurred at dawn on August 7.
Police stated that three homesteads were affected by the landslide. A man from one of the affected homes was rescued, while the third house had no occupants at the time of the incident. Rescue efforts continued on Wednesday with hopes of finding those missing.
Warnings had been issued in the area, advising locals to vacate hilly regions. This comes after a July 29 landslide on the Kasoiyo-Tenges-Saos tarmac road in the Borowonin area of Baringo County.
As a precaution, the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) closed the affected 57.1-kilometer section of the road. Officials said this would allow the on-site contractor to assess and repair the damage before reopening it for public use.
KeRRA directed motorists to use alternative routes, including Tenges-Kabsenet-Kaptipsokon-Kituro and Tartar-Kabasis-Bosin, during the approximately two-week closure period. They also announced collaboration with security personnel to direct traffic at the two entry points of the road, in Kasoiyo (Baringo Central) and Saos (Koibatek Sub-counties), to mitigate risks.
Heavy rainfall continues in many parts of the country, and officials urge motorists to exercise caution, ensure their headlights are functioning, and avoid speeding, particularly at night or in foggy conditions.
The road is a vital link between Eldama Ravine and Kabarnet, the County Headquarters. Locals are calling for routine inspections and maintenance of the road, which was constructed in 1985 and is in dire need of proper rehabilitation. The last similar landslide occurred in 2012, cutting off the road, extending to villages, resulting in loss of life, displacement of families, and extensive property damage.
