Residents trapped as mudslides wreak havoc
By Ishreel Shanzu and Julius Chepkwony
| Apr. 20, 2020
A university student was rescued alive a few kilometres from Chesogon market, West Pokot two days after the area was flattened during a mudslide.
Resident Samson Lopolian said they were looking for missing persons along River Chesogon on Monday when they found the woman trapped in mud.
"She was half buried when we found her. We heard her crying for help, and we moved quickly and pulled her out of the debris," he said.
She was taken to Arpollo dispensary.
Lopolian added that the woman had sustained multiple injuries, including a fracture on her hand.
Nancy Maimuna, a fourth year student at Moi University, said she saw people passing near where she was trapped but could not get their attention.
"I saw two men passing nearby. I called them to come and rescue me, but they didn't hear my voice. Today when they were searching for missing persons they found me."
West Pokot county commissioner Apollo Okello said the 24-year-old needed urgent medical attention.
After she was treated at Arpollo dispensary she was airlifted to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret, for further treatment.
"She is talking, and we are hopeful she will recover quickly. We are still hopeful we will find more people."
Okello on Monday said the community and the police recovered three more bodies and a hand.
"The police officer who was missing is among those found. A 14- and 10-year-old were also among the people found."
By presstime, the search was still ongoing.
Meanwhile, an unknown number of people are suspected to have been trapped in a quarry at Simotwet area, Eldama Ravine Sub-County, Baringo.
Reports indicate that a section of the quarry collapsed, burying several people alive.
The quarry collapse has been attributed to the heavy rains experienced in the region and across the country.
Ravine OCPD Maxwell Agoro said he was at the scene but could not confirm the number of people trapped.
One person was rescued and taken to Mercy Mission Hospital in Ravine Town.