President Uhuru Kenyatta has mourned the 29 Kenyans who lost their lives in Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot due to the mudslides.
Speaking on Saturday April 25 from State House, Nairobi, the President said that his administration continues to make every effort to support the affected families and communities across the country.
“I mourn the 29 Kenyans we have lost in Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot. My Administration continues to make every effort to support affected families and communities across the country,” President Kenyatta said.
The head of state further urged those living in dangerous areas such as escarpments to relocate to safer areas.
His statement comes a day after Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen accused the government of neglecting the victims.
Murkomen through his twiiter handle on Friday said that 23 bodies were still missing in Marakwet landslide tragedy, forcing locals to launch search for their loved ones on their own.
Murkomen accused Rift Valley regional commissioner George Natembeya of moving to the scene, taking pictures and leaving without doing anything.
“23 bodies are still missing in Marakwet landslide tragedy. These people are searching for their loved ones. RC Natembeya and the Military went their took pictures and left. meanwhile thousands of them are without shelter.What the hell is going on in this country?” Murkomen posted.
Hundreds of the survivors have sought refuge in churches and schools while others are being accommodated by their relatives.
At Kipchumwa location where the landslide started, more than 300 residents are huddled at AIC Wewo Church with no food and sanitation facilities.
The government has sent some help but much of it is being directed to Chesegon and Sambalat areas, which were hard hit by the mudslides. Seventeen other people are still missing.
Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya said the government was doing its best to provide food to the displaced and asked those still living on the escarpment to relocate before another disaster strikes.
He said a command centre had been set up at Sambalat Primary School and Cheptulel Secondary School in the respective counties to coordinate recovery efforts and relief missions.
West Pokot was one of the areas badly affected by heavy rains in November and December last year when more than 40 people died after massive landslides.
