The Kenya Red Cross has commenced the construction of new houses for families affected by landslides in West Pokot.
A total of 225 households from West Pokot South and Central sub-counties will benefit from the reconstruction.
The destructive landslide in November last year left at least 53 people dead and more than 10,000 others displaced.
Governor John Lonyangapuo last week presided over the flagging off of 1,728 iron sheets to the first group of 72 houses.
"We need to help these people recover from the losses they incurred and rebuild their lives. We have women and young children who were most affected by the landslide," he said.
Kenya Red Cross Society Secretary-General Asha Mohammed said the society is hopeful to ensure that all the 225 houses are completed before April.
"We know the long rains will be here with us in less than two months and therefore it is a race against time to ensure these families will have a shelter over their heads," she said.
Red Cross has received financial and other support to facilitate the reconstruction from local and international organizations including, National government, County government, Kenya Pipeline, Tullow Oil, African oil, LDS Charities, Mabati Rolling Mills, County assemblies, Full Gospel Churches, Full International Development Agency and KCB bank among others.
Lonyangapuo described the landslide as the worst disaster that has happened in the region.
During the landslides, most of the bodies were carried away by the floods and many families feared they would not recover them for a decent burial.
“We have lost property worth millions of shilling sand we shall require a lot of funds to help in the repairs,” Lonyangapuo said during the rescue operations.
A police aid chopper was unable to land near the affected area due to poor weather, forcing the pilot to return to Nairobi.
Military choppers carrying food and medical supplies also struggled to reach rescue centers.
West Pokot leaders were stranded at Sebit area for ten hours, some 12km away from the scene of the incident.
