Two children killed in Narok landslide

By Kipchumba Kemei and Leonard Korir

Narok, Kenya: Two children died on Wednesday morning after their house was destroyed following a landslide in Narok.

The landslide follows heavy rains which have been pounding Olturot village in Naibor Ajijik area since Sunday evening.

Red Cross officials from Naivasha and police from Narok had difficulties accessing the village because of impassable roads.

“The two children were buried while they were sleeping. Their parents who were sleeping in another house escaped unhurt,” said Ali Juma, the Red Cross Narok coordinator.

Confirming the incident, area police boss Peterson Maelo called on the residents to relocate to higher ground to avoid loss of lives and property.

 “The ongoing rains have made most parts of the area inhabitable. People living in low lands should move out,” said Maelo.

Meanwhile Narok town business community continues to count loses brought by the Tuesday night flash floods.

The floods that damaged sewerage lines, road network and the drainage systems, public health officials say could lead to outbreaks of water borne diseases including cholera.

The water level which rose about five metres above the ground, washed away crops including wheat with farmers who planted three weeks ago mostly affected.

“The floods have caused a massive damage. We are still accessing damages. We blame it on poor planning of the town,” said David Sankok, the chairman of Narok Central Business Association.

Some livestock keepers claimed that the floods swept their animals to Narok-Enkare River which has burst its banks.

Farm produce including harvested potatoes have been rotting in farms, raising prices of food stuff.

Elsewhere, a middle aged man was buried alive while digging a pit latrine near Nyangusu shopping centre along Trans Mara-Gucha district border.

 Richard Obwoge, 39, was covered by stones and sand from the pit adjacent to a manhole in which quarrying activities had been carried out recently.

 According to a colleague of the deceased whom they were digging the pit together, he had gone to take tea at a nearby restaurant and upon his arrival, he found the pit had caved in and his colleague missing.

 It took the joint efforts of the Trans Mara Police and the area residents to retrieve the body from the pit before transferring it to  Akemo Valley Hospital Mortuary.