Kenya Red Cross Society personnel ferry a body after recovery in West Pokot. [Peter Ochieng, Standard]
Mr Julius Kebisha, a teacher lost his son who was trapped in the mud as he rescued neighbours.
His son sat KCPE exams and was waiting to join Form One.
“My wife and my daughter have been rescued and taken to Kapenguria County hospital. I am mourning the death of my son who was going to save lives. He was swept metres away from our home. The body has been recovered,” he said.
Mr Chemuruto Yopokapel told the Sunday Standard that his three sons were buried alive him by the landslides.
His two daughters and wife escaped death by a whisker but sustained injuries.
“I scampered to save the lives of my family but I couldn’t go back inside the house to save the three boys aged six, eight and 10. I fell several times as stones hit and injured me. I gave up on the way,” he said.
Mr Yopokapel now hopes the surviving family members will come out of danger.
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“I am here stranded. My house has also been flattened and my animals swept way. I fear to remain and stay in this place it’s dangerous I am willing to be relocated,” he said.
He said the three boys were sleeping in one bed and their bodies were recovered strapped together.
Sondany Chief Joel Bulal said some of the recovered bodies were mutilated.
He said he got the report of mudslides at 4am and immediately mobilised the community to start rescue efforts.
“People were swept away and trapped between 2am to 4am. It was difficult to access the places because it was too dark and it was raining. If it could have occurred during the day, we could have saved more lives,” he said.
Mr Bulal said the area is prone to landslides. One body was recovered at Wei-Wei Bridge after it was swept by floods.
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Related Topics
Julius KebishaWest Pokot countyLandslides
