Seven feared dead from floods, mudslides in West Pokot

Seven people were missing and feared dead while another 25 were injured after floods and mudslides hit Chesogon along the West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet border on Saturday night.

Robert Katina from the Red Cross said more people might have died because many were still missing in affected villages.

Chesogon police post was among installations swept away by the floods.

The officer-in-charge Halkano Godana said the station had 18 officers but nine of them were on duty at the time of the incident. One of them identified as Onesmus Ngaira remained unaccounted for on Sunday.

"The state of rifles and ammunition is unknown because all buildings at the police post were destroyed by mudslides," he said. Eight officers who escaped were taken to safer areas.

Government spokesman Cyrus Oguna said a team had been dispatched to the area to survey the situation.

"The county government, local administration and the Red Cross are already on site," he said in a statement on Sunday.

Chepareria and Lomut rivers were flooded and it was feared that some people including traders at Chesogon market may have been swept away.

Governor John Lonyangapuo visited some of the affected areas and led interventions by the West Pokot county government.

"We are using all means possible to trace and rescue those who are still trapped in the affected villages," the governor said. He said they were working with emergency response teams from the national government.

Red Cross staff and those from the government have been deployed in the area to help in rescue and assess the situation. An estimated 50 homes were swept away.

Senior chief Chemal Benjamin said Chesogon market had over 200 people when the incident occurred.

He said the rain began at 3pm on Saturday. When the mudslides occurred on the Marakwet side, the residents raised alarm and asked people on the lower side of Chesegon to escape.

He said some residents managed to run away but some we trapped. He said up to seven people were still missing and they  didn't know the exact number of the dead since the rescue mission was still going on.

"In total, those who sustained minor injuries are over 25 people and they are nursing injuries at local dispensaries," the chief said. Among the injured were four police officers.

Kitum Mike, who is a businessman at the market, said he was counting losses after his hotel, shop and animals were swept away.

"I'm happy I escaped but  don't know where I will begin from. The government should intervene and help us," Kitum said.

Katina said they are waiting for more information from officers who had been dispatched to various affected areas to asses the situation.

“Our staff are on the ground and we will be able to know  the number of people affected and those who need help,” he said.

He said main bridges connecting markets from Sigor were flooded and his officers were accessing the market from Kainuk in Turkana county.

“Chepera and Lomut bridges are flooded and Red Cross officials are connecting to the village through Kainuk,” he said.

The market, police post and schools were washed away by flooded rivers following the heavy rain.

“We fear that many people may have been trapped in their shops,” said Tito Lopurian, a resident.

West Pokot county commissioner Apollo Okello led a county security team to the scene of the incident to assess the situation.

“I'm on my way to the scene of the incident I will be able to give clear report once I am on the ground,” he said.

Last year, heavy rain hit the county leading to landslides that left over 50 people dead and property worth millions of shillings destroyed.

Edited by Henry Makori