Landslides wreak havoc in Kisii

Kisii, Tuesday April 25, 2023

K.N.A By Jane Naitore

A humanitarian crisis is unfolding at Etago, South Mugirango  in Kisii county after the perennial landslides hit the area, displacing  over 80 people.

The  situation is likely to worsen as the landslides occasioned by torrential rains, currently pounding the area destroyed crops, houses  and pit latrines  forcing residents to seek refuge in the nearby schools.

Victims have expressed fear of a water-borne diseases  outbreak, owing to the damage caused to sanitation facilities,   acute food shortage and lack of  accommodation, unless the two levels of government well-wishers and humanitarian agencies moved in with relief assistance.

Some of the affected residents from Nyasasa village including Henry  Nyangweso, Ntabo Kerubo and  Tabitha Moraa complained of lack of tents  for shelter as the rains continued to pound the area.

They complained of being forced to build houses every other  year as the phenomenon ravages the area, even as they stared to starvation and disruption formal education calendar.

Kisii County Commissioner(CC) Tom Anjere who visited the area advised the  residents to move to safer grounds to avert loss of lives and property.

He announced deployment of a technical team to advise on how to construct  houses that can withstand the landslides and assess the type of assistance to be channeled to the victims.

The county commissioner said Sameta sub county had also been affected by the landslides and that members of a special committee will be dispatched to the affected areas for prompt intervention.

Kisii County Secretary James Ntabo said the disaster management  team will be activated to  visit and assess the needs of the affected people, with a view to recommending appropriate measures for action.

Courtesy K.N.A