Trans Nzoia: 100 families displaced by mudslides appeal for help
More than 100 families that were displaced by mudslides two months ago within Kinyoro Ward in Saboti Sub County are facing a humanitarian crisis.
The families from Bituyu, Kalaha, Murmo and Pango villages have been waiting for aid from the State without success.
The families were rendered homeless when their houses were destroyed by the mudslides owing to heavy rains being witnessed in the region.
One child and several animals died while more than 100 acres of maize vegetation were destroyed in the disaster that saw the villagers forced to seek refuge in the nearby Sango primary school in makeshift tents donated by the Red Cross.
“We have been banking on the Government to offer us an alternative solution but none has been forthcoming. The reopening of schools has made our case worse since we have to share facilities with pupils,” said Mrs. Jane Kotut.
Pamela Juma, who lost her child during the landslides, said life has been tough at the makeshift camp where they have to share the small tents with their children making it difficult to achieve the Covid-19 containment measures.
“My husband and I had left for work on the fateful day only to return home and find one of our children dead after our house collapsed. The pain of burying a child and becoming homeless has been traumatizing,” said Mrs. Juma.
They pointed an accusing finger at the government for failing to come to their rescue since the calamity struck despite having made several appeals to be assisted through the emergency rescue fund.
“We wonder why the government has decided to turn a blind eye to our challenges. We call on devolution Cabinet secretary Eugene Wamalwa to address our concerns,” said Mr. Shadrack Kimitiosi.
Kinyoro Ward MCA Lawrence Mokosu said its unfair for the families to be left out in government emergency programmes despite their long stay at the school which he said amounts to marginalization.
“We want these families to be assisted just like other Kenyans are assisted whenever they are faced with similar challenges. What they are going through was not their making,” said Mr. Mokosu.
