Funeral for Pokot landslide victims today
The funeral for 43 victims of the West Pokot landslide that occurred two weeks ago will be held today, area Governor John Lonyangapuo has said.
Leaders from the national and county governments are expected to join relatives and friends of the victims at the inter-denominational service at Makutano Stadium.
Speaking to People Daily, Lonyangapuo said preparations for the event are complete, adding that the service will be conducted by religious leaders from various denominations in North Rift region.
He said out of the more than 40 people who perished in the landslide tragedy, only one body is yet to be identified.
The Governor said 16 bodies, including those of children and the elderly, are yet to be retrieved from the scene of the mudslide that affected three villages in Pokot South and Pokot Central. The affected villages are Paroo, Nyarkulian and Muino.
“Twenty one people who were admitted at the Kapenguria County Referral Hospital with various injuries have been treated and discharged,” said Lonyangapuo.
The county chief said a middle-aged man and his three-year-old son are still recuperating at the facility Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret where they were taken in critical condition after being rescued from the mudslide.
Pay expenses
The national government has committed to pay hospital and funeral expenses for the tragedy victims.
The Kenya Red Cross which has been involved in the rescue and recovery operation since the tragedy occurred says 52 households were affected in Nyarkulian and 676 displaced, 64 households affected in Parua with 1,525 displaced, and in Paroo, 500 families were affected and 1,850 displaced.
