Residents living in fears of landslides as heavy rains pound West Pokot

Heavy rains in parts of West Pokot county over the last few weeks have caused panic, with mudslides reported in some highland areas.

Panic has gripped residents after mudslides destroyed farms and some homes in Lelan, Mokoyon and Meshau villages.

Reports indicate that soil on the hillsides is disintegrating, leading to erosion and raising fears of landslides.

"We are living in fear. We still recall the deadly tragedy that happened here about five years ago when lives were lost and property destroyed," said Charles Nguriaki, a resident of Mokoyon.

In 2019, landslides claimed more than 20 lives and displaced thousands, while another disaster in 2020 saw more than 50 people killed and 1,500 displaced in Chesegon.

The county's history with landslides and floods underscores the gravity of the current situation. In March 2023, flash floods in Muino killed a woman and destroyed Chemutlokotyo Secondary School and parts of Ortum market.

Areas such as Tapach, Sondany, Nyarkulian, Parua, and Muino, among others, have been idenfied as mudslide high risk areas.

The weather department has forecasted continued heavy rains in the region.

David Chepelion, the West Pokot's Disaster Management Chief Officer, assured that the county is preparing to handle any eventuality as rains pound the region.

"We are prepared to handle any circumstance caused by the heavy rains following updates from the Meteorological Department," Chepelion said.

He said that a multi-sectoral disaster preparedness committee is in place to respond to emergencies.

The committee's efforts include educating the public about the potential risks and necessary precautions.

Chepelion warned of increased risk to disaster due to escarpments saying regions like Ortum, Kongelai, and Parua are particularly vulnerable to flooding.

"The negative effects in the region will be significant due to the many escarpments," he noted.

The county is also focusing on reforestation programmes as a preventive measure, having planted over 10 million tree seedlings to help stabilize the soil.

"The only solution left is an afforestation initiative to mitigate these calamities," Chepelion said.
Kenya Red Cross Society Coordinator in the County, Scholastic Kapelo, urged families to move to safer grounds to avert disaster.

"With most regions being prone to risks of landslides due to the topography, there is a need to warn the locals to relocate to safer grounds to avert any casualties," Kapelo said.

She advised residents against building homes near hillsides and warned about the slow but persistent nature of landslides in the area.

Pokot South Deputy County Commissioner David Bowen advised residents to relocate to safer grounds as heavy rains continue to pound the region.

"You never know the magnitude of the rains, but we do not want to take any risks," Bowen said.