Ruto’s chopper lands in Kapenguria as Matiang’i backs out over bad weather

By , K24 Digital
On Mon, 25 Nov, 2019 15:17 | 2 mins read
Kapenguria
Two Cabinet secretaries abort plan for situational analysis in West Pokot County over bad weather. PHOTO | TIMOHTY SIMWA | K24 TV
Two Cabinet secretaries abort plan for situational analysis in West Pokot County over bad weather. PHOTO | TIMOHTY SIMWA | K24 TV

Deputy President William Ruto on Monday braved the bad weather in West Pokot to visit families affected by landslides.

Earlier, the Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, his Devolution counterpart Eugene Wamalwa aborted their visit over bad weather.

The Cabinet secretaries were accompanied by Inspector-General of Police Hillary Mutyambai.

https://twitter.com/InteriorKE/status/1198899583562256384
William Ruto
Deputy President William Ruto (right) at Kapenguria where he visited victims of landslides on Monday, November 15, 2019. PHOTO | ANGELA CHEROR | K24 TV

The helicopter carrying Dr Matiang'i landed at the Wilson Airport where they scheduled a press conference to update the country on recovery operations.

After landing in Kapenguria, DP Ruto visited patients and landslide victims at the county referral hospital.

Dr Ruto was accompanied by Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen.

According to Rift Valley Regional Coordinator George Natembeya, poor visibility has slowed down retrieval of bodies as more families suffer following heavy rains in West Pokot County.

Many families in the county are living in schools and makeshift shelters in fear of more mudslides and have called on the government for assistance.

Mr Natembeya said that they are working to reopen roads as the main highway from Kapenguria to Lodwar has been blocked since Friday, with many bridges impassable.

The heavy rains begun on Friday in the county that borders Uganda and worsened over time, causing flooding and mudslides.

The mudslides swept away bridges and sections of roads, leaving villages inaccessible by road and claiming at least over 40 lives.