Daniel Moi’s rural village hit by landslides, victims cry for help
More than 200 families have been displaced; heavy rain pounding the region blamed
Landslides have hit Baringo Central, including former President Moi’s rural village in Sacho ward.
Other villages affected are Kiptagich, Kaptich, Kabarak, Timboiwo, Kabasis and Tandui. More than 200 families have been displaced.
e landslides started on Monday and the latest was Wednesday night.
ey are as a result of the heavy rain pounding the region. e rain started in April and the Meteorological department predicts it might continue to December.
“is area has loose soil, sharp hills, old trees and loose rocks,” retired Kiptagich assistant chief Luka Tingos said on ursday.
He urged the county and the national governments to intervene and relocate the victims.
Apart from being displaced, the victims have lost crops worth millions of shillings.
“I watched my 250 indigenous trees and crops being swept downhill,” Tingos said.
e retired chief fears that another landslide might occur soon. “We have noticed several cracks in this area, a sign that a disaster is looming,” he said.
Victim Felix Cheruiyot said he was in his house with his family when he heard a loud bang. At first, they thought it was a road accident, but moments later mud swept through the house.
Cheruiyot said he relocated with his family to a relative’s home in the next village.
Deputy Governor Jacob Chepkwony said he has assigned a team of experts to assess the situation.
“Building of gabions from the bottom of the hill to the top could be the answer,” Chepkwony said. Senator Gideon Moi said something needs to be done urgently to control the landslides.