Survivors of Baringo mudslides, floods to receive Sh10,000

Houses destroyed by mudslides and floods in Tingoro village, Kipkelion constituency, Kericho County. [Evans Yegon, Standard]

More than 1,000 victims of mudslides, floods and drought in Baringo will receive cash and food supplies to help them rebuild their lives

Kenya Red Cross Society-South Rift Regional Coordinator Felix Maiyo said they will provide Sh10,000 to each of the 1,050 families to help mitigate their suffering caused by floods, mudslides, and drought.

Speaking on Tuesday at the Baringo county headquarters in Kabarnet, Maiyo urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the rain to plant short-term crops.   

“We are working with both national and county governments to support vulnerable families to recover from the effects of bad weather,” he said.

He urged residents to move to safer grounds to avert loss of lives as rains continued pounding the region.

The rains have caused havoc in the area leading to the death of seven people while hundreds of livestock were swept away by floods.

Governor Benjamin Cheboi regretted the loss of lives in Baringo  North saying several families have been left homeless. 

Cheboi urged residents to move away from areas prone to mudslides and experience fault lines in Baringo North and Central.

“We are issuing a warning to Baringo residents we are expecting heavy rain on Thursday and Friday, those living around Ewalel Chapchap, Marigat, Mogotio, Mukutani, Churo, and Tirioko wards to witness heavy rains which might wreak havoc,” he warned.

The governor advised residents living near Tugen Hills and Saimo Hills to move to safer grounds.