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More than 100,000 families affected by the mudslide and flood tragedy in Pokot South are staring at starvation and a possible outbreak of diseases if humanitarian aid does not arrive in good time.

The development comes even as extreme weather persists in the region.

National and county governments in collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross Society are yet to reach affected families, who have camped at Nyarkulian Primary School after all the bridges that connect most affected areas were swept off by the rain waters. 

The roads are impassible and the weather is foggy, making it difficult for rescuers to reach the village.

West Pokot Governor John Lonyagapuo expressed fears the death toll could rise owing to frustrations the multi-agency teams are encountering while trying to retrieve bodies that are still stuck in the mud and those that have been swept downstream.

“The recovery efforts are becoming a big challenge due to various factors key among them impassable road network and bad weather in the area where the bodies are to be retrieved along the fast-flowing river,” said Lonyangapuo.

In Nyarkulian Sub-location, three villages—Tamkal, Paru and Cheptonge— have been evacuated to nearby Nyarkulian Primary School to avert further loss of lives. 

Exercise caution

On Saturday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said the government had “deployed the military and police choppers to scale up responses and respond to immediate needs of affected families while rescue and recovery efforts remain a priority.”

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has urged motorists to exercise caution while driving during this rainy season.

According to the weatherman, rainfall is expected to continue during the entire season with occasional breaks.

The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rain throughout next week, with up to 30mm, raising fears of more devastating effects in various parts of the country.

Regions likely to be affected include Western, South Eastern, Northwestern, Northeastern and Central as well as Nairobi.

Meanwhile, President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered authorities to relocate residents in floods and landslide-prone areas following Saturday’s tragedy in West Pokot.

“I have directed Regional Commissioners in flood and landslide-prone regions of our country to work very closely with our security and humanitarian teams to ensure that citizens in these areas are urgently moved to safer grounds,” President Uhuru said in a statement from State House.