West Pokot Tragedy: Uhuru orders deployment of KDF

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday directed regional commissioners to move people in flood and landslide prone regions to safer grounds.

While condoling with families affected by landslides in West Pokot County, the Head of State also directed the deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces, the National Police Service and Special Programmes to the region to join the rescue operation.

President Kenyatta further assured that the operation would continue round the clock until the situation normalises.

“To those whose loved ones are yet to be found, I assure you that the ongoing multi-agency rescue operation will continue until after every missing person is accounted for,” The president said in a statement.

“My thoughts and prayers, and those of our entire nation are with families, friends and relatives of those who lost their beloved ones in the unfortunate incident. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.”

The 37 from Tapach and Parua in Pokot South, and from Tamkal in Pokot Central, were buried alive after a night of heavy downpour.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has since indicated that military and police choppers have already been deployed to scale up responses to the tragedy.

“ The Government has deployed Military and Police Choppers to scale up responses and respond to immediate needs of affected families. While rescue and recovery efforts remain the priority, a full assessment into the extent of damage caused continues to be a challenge due to harsh weather conditions,” read the statement.

Taking to twitter, Deputy President William Ruto condoled with the bereaved families further urging those in vulnerable areas to be on high alert.

“Sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the West Pokot landslide. May God give you peace and comfort, and may our prayers ease the pain of this great loss,” wrote DP Ruto.