NAIROBI, Kenya
A landslide that followed heavy rain in Central Kenya has swept away at least five people, residents said on Wednesday, with the Red Cross adding that its workers would assist in rescue efforts.
The landslide occurred in
Kimende Escarpment in Kiambu County, north of the capital Nairobi, the Kenya
Red Cross said in a post on social media platform X late on Tuesday.
The victims were said to be walking home when they were caught unawares.
Three people are still feared
trapped in a landslide in Kimende Escapement, Kiambu County.
On Wednesday, Kiambu Governor
Kimani Wamatangi visited the area as rescue efforts intensified.
The search for the missing is
being led by the Kiambu County Emergency Response team together with Kenya Red
Cross staff.
The incident occurred in Lari
sub-county.
"Together with the County
Disaster Response Team, we have visited the area to assess the situation and
assist affected residents as the operation to find the missing continues. We
are consulting with the relevant national government road authorities to see if
the road design can be improved to avoid such problems in the future,"
said Governor Wamatangi.
At the same time, the county
boss urged people living in landslide-prone areas to move out as humanitarian
aid was promised.
"We have asked residents
living in areas identified as dangerous and prone to landslides to move to
safer places. The county government is offering humanitarian assistance to all
those affected by the natural disaster," Governor Wamatangi said.
The heavy rains that have
lashed the country have caused wetlands to collapse and the death toll from the
ongoing rains is close to 290, according to government statistics.
The Kenya Meteorological
Department has warned that the heavy rains are expected to continue in the
coming weeks.
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