The Kenya Air Force (KAF) as part of a multi-agency team in West Pokot, has been instrumental in supporting the on-going Rescue Operations through Air Operations. This is after flash floods hit residents of West Pokot, Narok and Elgeyo Marakwet counties on Saturday, 18th April 2020, causing landslides, swelling rivers and damaging roads. The floods which swept away houses, including a Police camp and livestock, killed 12 people and 25 people have been reported missing.
West Pokot was one of the areas badly damaged by heavy rains in November and December of 2019 when more than 40 people died after massive landslides occurred in the area. The Chepera Bridge, which was swept away at the time, has still not been replaced, cutting off the village of Chesogon from road rescue possibility, thereby making air transport to be convenient for the Rescue Operations.
The Rapid Deployment Squadron and air crew from KAF and a team from 3 Kenya Rifles working in conjunction with local authority, county government and Red Cross have been able to conduct search and rescue, evacuate affected families and distribute relief items in areas of Rbolo in Chesogon (West Pokot) and Sambalata in Elgeyo Marakwet. The relief items distributed include blankets, sugar, rice, beans, tea leaves and cooking oil.
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