Witnesses of the landslide that occurred in the Kimende Escarpments in Kiambu County have recalled the last moments before the tragedy.
Kenya Red Cross in a statement indicated that several individuals were feared trapped under the debris following the tragedy which happened on May 14, at around 7 PM.
“A landslide has occurred in the Kimende Escarpments of Kiambu County. Several people are believed to be trapped. The Red Cross Action Team is enroute to the scene,” the Kenya Red Cross said.
One witness, Joseph Gitau while speaking to the press on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, revealed that his cousin was among the people who are feared to be trapped following the landslide.
According to Gitau, the four people engulfed by the soil were walking along the road before the incident occurred.
Kimende landslide witness speaks
“There were four people altogether and three of them were slightly ahead of the other one who was behind. Unfortunately, the soil covered them all,” said Gitau.
Also Read: Several Feared Dead in Kiambu Landslide
On the other hand, a second witness said that one of his colleagues managed to escape while a motorcycle rider was among those hit by the landslide.
“The second motorbike wasn’t so lucky because the rider got caught by the landslide as he tried to turn back. I saw that and started screaming for help,” George Kariuki said.
The landslide followed heavy rain in central Kenya sweeping away at least five people with the Red Cross cordoning off the area and declaring it as a danger zone.
Kiambu County Governor Kimani Wamatangi visited the scene and asked the communities living around there to seek higher grounds.
He urged them to stay away from the scene until the rescue teams in action find the missing people while the county works on a solution to prevent such happenings in future.
Also Read: Several People Trapped as Storey Building Collapses
Effects of Floods & Heavy Rains
Flooding and heavy rains that have hit Kenya since late March have killed at least 289 people and displaced 285,600, according to government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura.
In the single deadliest incident, at least 61 people were killed in late April following a mudslide and flash floods in the town of Mai Mahiu in central Kenya.
Meanwhile, Kenya Red Cross announced that a search for two people still trapped in the rubble of a collapsed building in Kiamaiko, Nairobi is still ongoing.
According to the Red Cross, four people were rescued and rushed to hospital following the collapse of the building which was one of the structures earmarked for demolition.
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