Landslides in Uganda and Kenya Claim Over 40 Lives

Recent landslides in the border region of Uganda and Kenya have resulted in more than 40 fatalities. The tragic events occurred during a period of heavy rainfall, leading to multiple mudslides that devastated communities in the mountainous areas.

Landslide Impact in Kenya and Uganda

The landslides have disproportionately affected families, with many individuals reporting the loss of multiple loved ones. Felix Kemboi, a 30-year-old resident from Kaptul village in Kenya, lamented the loss of several family members in the disaster.

As rescue operations continue, many individuals remain unaccounted for. Search and rescue teams are deployed to locate them, although the ongoing threat of additional landslides poses a significant challenge.

Warnings from Officials

Kenyan Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen has urged communities in the Kerio Valley to exercise caution. He emphasized the heightened risk of further landslides due to ongoing rainfall. Local authorities are also relocating residents from high-risk areas to safer locations.

Casualties and Survivor Accounts

• At least 14 children were among those killed in Kenya.
• In Uganda, 18 deaths have been confirmed, with ongoing searches for 20 missing individuals.
• Reports indicate that many survivors are displaced and relying on neighbors for shelter.

Helda Narunga Masai, a survivor in eastern Uganda, described her terrifying experience as her home in Kween village was destroyed. “The mountain is coming,” she recalled hearing from neighbors as the disaster struck.

Rescue Efforts and Challenges

In both countries, rescue and recovery efforts face difficulties due to challenging conditions. In Uganda, the Uganda Red Cross teams, together with local volunteers, are using basic tools to recover bodies buried in mud.

Community leader Mande David Kapcheronge reported that access to some areas has been cut off by landslides, complicating rescue operations.

Government Response

In response to this disaster, the Ugandan government has committed financial assistance of 5 million shillings (approximately $1,300) to bereaved families. Additionally, survivors are receiving 1 million shillings each. However, compensation measures from the Kenyan government have yet to be announced.

Lessons from the Past

Experts emphasize the importance of disaster preparedness in regions susceptible to landslides. Recent events echo the devastating landslide in Bududa, Uganda, in 2010, where around 300 lives were lost.

As countries work to recover from these recent landslides, the focus now shifts to improving safety and preventing future disasters in these vulnerable regions.