Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi has ordered all residents living in landslide-prone zones to vacate such areas immediately to avert further risks owing to the impending heavy rainfalls expected by the end of this week.
Cheboi made the call outside his Kabarnet office on Monday, where he noted that the county has received a weather focus report showing that four subcounties will witness abnormal rains from Thursday to Friday this week.
He said that areas like Ewalel Chapchap in Baringo Central, Marigat, Illchamus, and Mukutani in Baringo South, as well as Churo Amaya and Tirioko in Tiaty, alongside several parts of Mogotio, will record an historic quantum of rainfall of up to 120 millimetres.
The county boss said his administration will not leave anything to chance after recent landslides that killed five people in Baringo North Sub County, with several others displaced and properties lost due to the natural disaster.
“Our priority is to ensure the safety of all residents, and we are advising them not to be presumptuous of the inherent dangers,” said Cheboi.
The governor, accompanied by officials from the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS), led by the head of the South Rift region, Felix Maiyo, instructed officers working in the various health facilities to be ready in case of any emergency that may arise out of the looming challenge.
He urged all those living in insecure areas to consider moving in with their relatives or neighbours in secure areas for the meantime, and those who have housing challenges to seek for tents from the county government until the June, July, and August rains are over.
Cheboi, while calling on the emergency department to secure ambulances and ensure they are serviced to assist in rescue operations, also called for humanitarian support from partners.
Maiyo, who reiterated the early warning given by the governor, called for action towards the anticipated heavy rains across the county.
The KRCS official revealed that his organisation was in the process of compiling data on the people affected by the recent spate of landslides and mudslides in the county, which will be released to the public in due course.
By Benson Kelio and Joshua Kibet
