State needs Sh20 million to fund relief efforts in West Pokot

Parents and their children at Lulwoi Primary School where they sought shelter after heavy rain swept their houses on Friday night at Nyarukulia area in South Pokot County, on Friday night. Over 40 people are alleged to have succumbed to death. [File, Standard]

Relief is needed for victims of landslide and floods that left 43 people dead.

Five days after the landslide and floods hit West Pokot, the government has announced that it requires Sh20 million to fund relief distribution for more than 30,000 displaced people.

Government Spokesman Colonel (Rtd) Cyrus Oguna said in Kapenguria yesterday that the government had confirmed that 43 people lost their lives in the deadly mudslide and floods that hit Pokot South Constituency on Friday night last week.

“We have confirmed that 36 bodies have been recovered and seven reported missing. Assuming those missing are dead, the total figure will be 43. The Kenya Red Cross Society and disaster management teams are on the ground and have done all assessment and confirmed the figure,” said Mr Oguna.

Previously claimed

The county government had previously claimed the tragedy left 52 people dead and that more than 15 people were still missing.

Oguna warned that people should not take advantage of the tragedy and exaggerate the figures. He said the majority of the victims were aged between eight and 20 years. “We have only two people who are above 30 years who lost their lives in West Pokot County. It’s painful to lose young people who are profitable to the country. The whole country is mourning,” he said.

He said the government requires Sh1 billion to assist 350,000. “The government requires Sh1.052 billion for all affected people in the country. In West Pokot we need about Sh20 million,” said Oguna.

He said the Ministry of Devolution and Special Programmes, together with the military, had supplied food, medicine and other items.